Innovative methods on territorial vulnerability study for the preparation of emergency plans

In recent years, we have witnessed natural events that have had impressive effects on the city and its inhabitants, highlighting a great vulnerability of the territories. In this context, the National Civil Protection has forced local administrations to adopt an Emergency Plan based on risk analysis. The proposed contribution illustrates the application of an innovative methodology that focuses, for the estimation of the vulnerability, on the urban / construction analysis and the operation of emergency health care facilities

investigation of the energy requirements for the on board generation of oxy hydrogen on vehicles

Abstract The present study investigates the energy needs for the on-board generation of oxyhydrogen (HHO) used as fuel additive on vehicles. HHO production is performed through the use of an alkaline electrolyzer, directly taking energy from the equipped internal combustion engine. A longitudinal vehicle dynamic model is used to evaluate the driving power to be supplied by the engine for two reference speed profiles, NEDC and WLTC. The performed investigation determines the engine brake thermal efficiency gain required to ensure HHO production without increase in fuel consumption. The results can be used as guidelines for the development of on-board control strategies

Measuring Age-Friendly Housing: A Framework

An ageing population raises the question of providing adequate housing that enables older people to age in place without losing autonomy and independence. Except for the issue of accessibility, no framework exists that specifically outlines a standard to achieve and, as a result, interventions on existing or on new buildings may be inconsistent without leading to a desired rise in living standards. This research addresses this issue by presenting a framework for the assessment of the age-appropriateness of housing through a number of metrics that detect and identify physical and non-physical features of a home environment to enable ageing in place. The study combines data from a qualitative systematic literature review of 93 papers and qualitative data from structured interviews with four experts in the field. As a result, 71 metrics were identified, divided into eight main domains, to describe the framework. This paper provides an improved understanding of the housing features that enable ageing in place. The tool categorizes and rates qualitative and quantitative aspects that contribute to the age-friendliness of housing, resulting in an easy to adopt assessment framework. This is a valuable means for stakeholders engaged in improving the current housing stock or in constructing new buildings for older people

Evaluation of factors and approaches affecting emergency department space planning

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate emergency department (ED) design space planning approaches and draw lessons for developing more resilient and integrated ED guidelines. Two key objectives have been set; these include: exploring potential factors affecting the ED performance, and investigate how ED space planning is addressed internationally through the evaluation of international case studies and design guidelines. Design/methodology/approach – A robust research method has been adopted including comprehensive literature review in addition to 76 case studies from Italy and the USA. Findings – Findings show that the important factors in defining ED space requirements are attendance variability, vulnerable groups and mass casualty events. The study concludes that current design guidelines and approaches need to be updated to meet with the current and future demand by taking into account design performance: effectiveness, efficiency and resilience, to avoid underestimating ED space; and that the US EDs are in a better position, than Italian EDs, to increase capacity when needed. Originality/value – The contribution of this study is in providing a tangible “understanding” of factors influencing ED design and prepares a firm ground to develop more resilient and integrated design guidelines, able to meet current, exceptional and long-term needs of EDs. The study also shows that research can provide a valuable contribution to improve ED design which needs to feed more inpractice to improve design process and guidelines

Evaluation of factors and approaches affecting emergency department space planning

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate emergency department (ED) design space planning approaches and draw lessons for developing more resilient and integrated ED guidelines. Two key objectives have been set; these include: exploring potential factors affecting the ED performance, and investigate how ED space planning is addressed internationally through the evaluation of international case studies and design guidelines. Design/methodology/approach – A robust research method has been adopted including comprehensive literature review in addition to 76 case studies from Italy and the USA. Findings – Findings show that the important factors in defining ED space requirements are attendance variability, vulnerable groups and mass casualty events. The study concludes that current design guidelines and approaches need to be updated to meet with the current and future demand by taking into account design performance: effectiveness, efficiency and resilience, to avoid underestimating ED space; and that the US EDs are in a better position, than Italian EDs, to increase capacity when needed. Originality/value – The contribution of this study is in providing a tangible “understanding” of factors influencing ED design and prepares a firm ground to develop more resilient and integrated design guidelines, able to meet current, exceptional and long-term needs of EDs. The study also shows that research can provide a valuable contribution to improve ED design which needs to feed more inpractice to improve design process and guidelines

Improving ageing resilience of current and future housing

The World Health Organisation reported that people aged 65 years or above will account for 1.5 billion of the world’s population by 2050, rising from 524 million in 2010. Ageing population brings together a series of implications and co-morbidities: non-communicable diseases; elderly related impairments; physical or cognitive impairments. Current demographics make architects to reflect on the future of housing. The question is: How to design houses able to support social inclusivity for elderly people? How to adapt the housing stock considering the increasing dependency of the ageing population? The relationship between the built environment and health has been widely studied in the general population. Furthermore, studies on the effect of the built environment, especially on elderly people are spreading. This project aims to identify the features of the home environment able to support elderly people to age positively and live independently in their community. Existing evidence on the impact of the built environment and housing on elderly people were interrogated and the adaptation of existing dwellings were investigated to identify current models and trends. Initial findings show that, even if interesting projects have been developed, there is still the need to support innovative housing models to enable current and future housing stock to support elderly people to age positively and live independently in their community

The Aurora-A/TPX2 axis directs spindle orientation in adherent human cells by regulating NuMA and microtubule stability

Mitotic spindle orientation is a crucial process that defines the axis of cell division, contributing to daughter cell positioning and fate, and hence to tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis.1,2 The trimeric NuMA/LGN/Gαi complex, the major determinant of spindle orientation, exerts pulling forces on the spindle poles by anchoring astral microtubules (MTs) and dynein motors to the cell cortex.3,4 Mitotic kinases contribute to correct spindle orientation by regulating nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) localization,5-7 among which the Aurora-A centrosomal kinase regulates NuMA targeting to the cell cortex in metaphase.8,9 Aurora-A and its activator targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) are frequently overexpressed in cancer,10-12 raising the question as to whether spindle orientation is among the processes downstream the Aurora-A/TPX2 signaling axis altered under pathological conditions. Here, we investigated the role of TPX2 in the Aurora-A- and NuMA-dependent spindle orientation. We show that, in cultured adherent human cells, the interaction with TPX2 is required for Aurora-A to exert this function. We also show that Aurora-A, TPX2, and NuMA are part of a complex at spindle MTs, where TPX2 acts as a platform for Aurora-A regulation of NuMA. Interestingly, excess TPX2 does not influence NuMA localization but induces a "super-alignment" of the spindle axis with respect to the substrate, although an excess of Aurora-A induces spindle misorientation. These opposite effects are both linked to altered MT stability. Overall, our results highlight the importance of TPX2 for spindle orientation and suggest that spindle orientation is differentially sensitive to unbalanced levels of Aurora-A, TPX2, or the Aurora-A/TPX2 complex

AurkA nuclear localization is promoted by TPX2 and counteracted by protein degradation

The AurkA kinase is a well-known mitotic regulator, frequently overexpressed in tumors. The microtubule-binding protein TPX2 controls AurkA activity, localization, and stability in mitosis. Non-mitotic roles of AurkA are emerging, and increased nuclear localization in interphase has been correlated with AurkA oncogenic potential. Still, the mechanisms leading to AurkA nuclear accumulation are poorly explored. Here, we investigated these mechanisms under physiological or overexpression conditions. We observed that AurkA nuclear localization is influenced by the cell cycle phase and nuclear export, but not by its kinase activity. Importantly, AURKA overexpression is not sufficient to determine its accumulation in interphase nuclei, which is instead obtained when AURKA and TPX2 are co-overexpressed or, to a higher extent, when proteasome activity is impaired. Expression analyses show that AURKA, TPX2, and the import regulator CSE1L are co-overexpressed in tumors. Finally, using MCF10A mammospheres we show that TPX2 co-overexpression drives protumorigenic processes downstream of nuclear AurkA. We propose that AURKA/TPX2 co-overexpression in cancer represents a key determinant of AurkA nuclear oncogenic functions

Learning lessons from the 2011 Van Earthquake to enhance healthcare surge capacity in Turkey

Historically, Turkey has adopted a reactive approach to natural hazards which resulted in significant losses. However, following the 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake, a more proactive approach has been adopted. This study aims to explore the way this new approach operates on the ground. A multinational and multidisciplinary team conducted a field investigation following the 2011 Van Earthquake to identify lessons to inform healthcare emergency planning in Turkey and elsewhere. The team interviewed selected stakeholders including, healthcare emergency responders, search and rescue services, ambulance services, and health authority representatives, in addition to conducting a focus group. Data were analysed according to an open coding process and SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis. The findings suggest that the approach succeeded in developing a single vision by consolidating official efforts in a more structured way, mobilising many governmental and non-governmental organisations, securing significant amounts of resources including physical and human, and increasing the resilience and flexibility of infrastructure to expand its capacity. However, more attention is required to the development of stronger management procedures and acquisition of further resources