Cognitive mapping and multi-criteria analysis for decision aiding: an application to the design of an electric vehicle sharing service

The paper presents a model for the design of an electric car sharing service for the city of Milano. Several options of service configurations have been analysed and evaluated according to indicators, to measure the performance of such options in respect to relevant dimensions (i.e., economic and financial costs and revenues, mobility, social benefits, environmental effects). We set up a multicriteria decision analysis, structured by means of cognitive maps. Causal networks to estimate the effects of the options have been identified and instantiated by means of simulation techniques and other qualitative and quantitative models. The focus of the paper is on the development and use of the causal maps and their integration with a multicriteria method. The use of cognitive maps allowed to capture the multiple values of the problem and the value trees of stakeholders objectives. The proposed method can be useful in general for design and planning of mobility service, especially at a strategic level

Promotion of E-bikes for delivery of goods in European urban areas: an Italian case study

The paper presents the first results of some tasks of Pro-E-Bike, an Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) funded project, started on March 2013 ending in February 2016. Pro-E-Bike promotes clean and energy efficient vehicles, analyses the performance of electric bicycles and electric scooters (Light Electric Vehicle, LEV) for the delivering of goods in urban areas and tests the use of these vehicles in seven European countries with twenty five companies, both delivering ones and companies that deliver their own products. Pilots will enable the demonstration of measurable effects in terms of reduction of CO2 emissions and energy savings in urban transport: related data about environmental, economic and social effects resulted by the introduction of e-bikes and e-scooters in the pilot cities will be collected. The paper will give an overlooks of the Italian pilot, that will take place in Genova, describing the subjects involved and the expected results

Direct effects of fermented cow's milk product with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 on human enterocytes

Cow's milk fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 (FM-CBAL74) exerts a preventive effect against infectious diseases in children. We evaluated if this effect is at least in part related to a direct modulation of non-immune and immune defence mechanisms in human enterocytes. Human enterocytes (Caco-2) were stimulated for 48 h with FM-CBAL74 at different concentrations. Cell growth was assessed by colorimetric assay; cell differentiation (assessed by lactase expression), tight junction proteins (zonula occludens1 and occludin), mucin 2, and toll-like receptor (TRL) pathways were analysed by real-time PCR; innate immunity peptide synthesis, beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) and cathelicidin (LL-37) were evaluated by ELISA. Mucus layer thickness was analysed by histochemistry. FMCBA L74 stimulated cell growth and differentiation, tight junction proteins and mucin 2 expression, and mucus layer thickness in a dose-dependent fashion. A significant stimulation of HBD-2 and LL-37 synthesis, associated with a modulation of TLR pathway, was also observed. FM-CBAL74 regulates non-immune and immune defence mechanisms through a direct interaction with the enterocytes. These effects could be involved in the preventive action against infectious diseases demonstrated by this fermented product in children

Efficacy of a partially hydrolyzed whey formula on infant colic: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Infant colic (IC) affects up to 20% of infants in the first 4 months of life. Although IC is a benign affection that spontaneously resolves after the first 3-4 months of life, it is often a stressful problem for parents. Methods: Babies, aged ≤ 3 months, observed at family pediatrician office because a suspect of IC, were randomized in two groups of 3-week dietary intervention: Group 1, receiving non-analgesic, non-nutritive soothing maneuvers, continuing a standard formula; Group 2, receiving a partially hydrolyzed whey formula (w-pHF), containing GOS (0.5g/100ml), low content of lactose (2.5g/100ml) and low osmolarity (185 mOsm). All infants performed clinical examinations at enrollment and after 7, 14 and 21 days. Number of colic episodes, and the number and consistency of fecal outputs were recorded daily. Results: Fifty infants with IC were enrolled and randomized: 25 in Group 1 and 25 in Group 2. The rate of infants with IC in Group 2 decreased significantly within 14 days compared to Group 1 and the number of bowel movements increased significantly within 7 days in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Stool consistency significantly improved in Group 2 within 7 days. Conclusion: The studied formula could represent a useful approach in infants with IC reducing pharmacological treatments

Hepatic Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Immune Response in a Murine Model of Peanut Allergy.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests a relevant role for liver and mitochondrial dysfunction in allergic disease. However, the role of hepatic mitochondrial function in food allergy is largely unknown. We aimed to investigate hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction in a murine model of peanut allergy. METHODS: Three-week-old C3H/HeOuJ mice were sensitized by the oral route with peanut-extract (PNT). We investigated: 1. the occurrence of effective sensitization to PNT by analysing acute allergic skin response, anaphylactic symptoms score, body temperature, serum mucosal mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) and anti-PNT immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels; 2. hepatic involvement by analysing interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNA expression; 3. hepatic mitochondrial oxidation rates and efficiency by polarography, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) yield, aconitase and superoxide dysmutase activities by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Sensitization to PNT was demonstrated by acute allergic skin response, anaphylactic symptoms score, body temperature decrease, serum mMCP-1 and anti-peanut IgE levels. Liver involvement was demonstrated by a significant increase of hepatic Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) mRNA expression. Mitochondrial dysfunction was demonstrated by lower state 3 respiration rate in the presence of succinate, decreased fatty acid oxidation in the presence of palmitoyl-carnitine, increased yield of ROS proven by the inactivation of aconitase enzyme and higher H₂O₂ mitochondrial release. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence of hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction in a murine model of peanut allergy. These data could open the way to the identification of new mitochondrial targets for innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies against food allergy

Prognostic factors facilitating multiple food allergies and atopiv march occurrence in children with Non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal Food Allergy: results of two years follow up of the NIGEFA project

Objectives and Study: Non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergies (non-IgE-GIFA) are an increasing problem in pediatric gastroenterology clinical practice. These conditions include food protein-induced: enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), enteropathy (FPE), allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP), and motility disorders (FPIMD). The NIGEFA project is focused on the investigation of main clinical features, prognostic factors (presence atopic dermatitis (AD), multiple food allergies, diagnostic delay, and familial history of allergy), and natural history (atopic march (AM) prevalence and timing of immune tolerance acquisition). Methods: Prospective observational study evaluating children with non-IgE-GIFA diagnosed according to standard criteria observed at a tertiary center for pediatric gastroenterology and allergy (both sexes, aged <36 m, follow up 12 m after diagnosis). Main anamnestic, demographic, and clinical data were collected from all enrolled patients. Immune tolerance acquisition was evaluated by the result of oral food challenge. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled: 58% male, mean age at diagnosis (SD) 8.5(8.8) m. Non-IgE-GIFA conditions were: FPE (44%), FPIES (11%), FPIAP (18%), FPIMD (27%). Mean diagnostic delay was 5.3 (7.4) m. Multiple non-IgE-GIFA were observed in 47% at baseline. Familial history of allergy was observed in 64% of subjects. Presence of AD before the onset of non-IgE-GIFA was observed in 40% of subjects. The overall rate of immune tolerance acquisition at 12 m was 27%, with a higher rate in FPIAP (44%) compared with FPIMD (29.6%), FPE (22.7%) and FPIES (9.1%) subjects (p<0.05). The rate of immune tolerance acquisition at 12 m was significantly lower in children with familial history of allergy (-48%, estimated risk ratio (RR)0.52 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.99, p<0.05)) and in those with multiple non-IgE-GIFA (-61%, RR at 12 m 0.39 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.85, p<0.05)). At 12 m follow up, the rate of subjects presenting AM was 24% with no difference among the 4 disease groups. The occurrence of AM was significantly higher in subjects with multiple (38%) vs. mono non-IgE-GIFA (11%) (p<.001) at baseline, with an estimated RR of 3.38 (95% CI 1.47 to 7.81, p<0.01) at 12 m. Moreover, for every 1-month of diagnostic delay there was an increase of 1.04 RR(95% CI 1.01 to 1.07) of AM occurrence at 12 m. No associations with other potential predictors (sex, familial allergy risk, AD before the onset of GIFA, type of non-IgE-GIFA) were found. Conclusions: These data shed lights on prognostic factors and natural history of non-IgE-GIFA suggesting the importance of early diagnosis in preventing the occurrence of AM occurrence in these patients. Contac