Multi-scale, electro-thermal model of NMC battery cell

Battery models often either fail to deliver a complete picture of the physical phenomena occurring in the cell or fail to minimize computational effort. So far, the demand for a detailed internal thermal model of battery cells with a reasonable computation time has remained unanswered. This paper addresses such question introducing a multi-domain model whose accuracy makes it suitable for thermal management system development, at a lower computational cost than competing models. The approach features an equivalent circuit parameter model with chemistry-based parameters coupled with an internal heat transfer model. The internal heat transfer model includes different sections of the cell, addressing the anisotropy and the temperature-dependence of physical properties. Material properties are partly based on manufacturer's data sheet, partly taken from literature. The development software platform enables a sensible reduction of computational effort with respect to traditional modeling techniques. Results were validated against an aggressive current at different temperatures and against current profiles obtained from two different drive cycles at different ambient temperature. The model proves to be very good in terms of accuracy

Boosting emotional intelligence in the post-Covid. Flexible approaches in teaching social and emotional skills

The Covid pandemic has opened new challenges for education, especially for the social and emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents who had to face unprecedented and upsetting changes in their daily lives. The paper explores the possibilities offered by the social-emotional intelligence framework in helping children and youths develop the good emotional literacy needed for facing such a challenging time and growing as wholesome adults. This is done through an in-depth analysis of the concept of replication and generalization and by proposing a perspective working model for embedding social and emotional learning in daily teaching and learning activities. Promuovere l'intelligenza emotiva nel post-Covid. Approcci flessibili per insegnare le competenze sociali e emotive. La pandemia di Covid ha introdotto nuove sfide nel mondo dell'educazione, in modo particolare per quanto riguarda il benessere sociale e emotivo di bambini e adolescenti che hanno dovuto affrontare cambiamenti sconvolgenti senza precedenti nel loro vivere quotidiano. L'articolo esplora le possibilità offerte dal costrutto di educazione socio-emotiva a supporto dello sviluppo in bambini e ragazzi di un'alfabetizzazione emotiva solida, necessaria per affrontare un periodo così sfidante e per la loro crescita futura. Tutto questo è fatto attraverso un'analisi approfondita dei concetti di replicabilità e generalizzazione e attraverso la proposta di un nuovo modello di lavoro per integrare l'educazione socio-emotiva all'interno delle azioni didattiche quotidian

For an inclusive education: the innovative challenge of technologies for social emotional learning

The paper presents a collection of national, European and international evidence intended to identify the efficacy of social and emotional learning, of educational technologies, with a focus, in both cases, on inclusive processes. The paper, that is the outcome of the joint work of the authors, investigates the added, potential value given by technology to social and emotional learning, through different tiers of actions and the main features of ed-tech that can support such a use.Per un’educazione inclusiva: la sfida innovativa delle tecnologie per l’educazione socio-emotivaIl contributo presenta una raccolta di evidenze nazionali, europee ed internazionali, volte a individuare l’efficacia, dell’educazione socio-emotiva, delle tecnologie per la didattica, con un’attenzione, in entrambi i casi, ai processi inclusivi. Frutto del lavoro congiunto degli autori, il contributo indaga il valore aggiunto che la tecnologia può offrire all’educazione socio-emotiva, su differenti piani di azione e le principali caratteristiche ed-tech che possono supportarne tale utilizzo

Progettare gli spazi dell’emergenza: data analysis sull’organizzazione, i dimensionamenti e accessi annui di casi studio italiani per il predimensionamento ottimale dell’area del Pronto Soccorso.

Introduzione Nell’organizzazione del reparto del Pronto Soccorso (PS), un elemento fondamentale è la suddivisione in moduli per ambiti di tipologia e competenza e, indipendentemente dal livello di assistenza fornito. A partire da ciò vengono valutati tutti i percorsi e i collegamenti che ci devono essere tra i moduli. Gli aspetti imprescindibili nel progetto degli spazi sono: • accessi differenziati dei pazienti barellati e deambulanti; • accettazione degli utenti attraverso il triage; • distinzione tra le zone destinate all’emergenza e all’urgenza; • collegamenti diretti con le aree funzionali sanitarie correlate al PS; • stazionamento dei pazienti e/o in attesa di ricovero; • dimissione o avvio del percorso di continuità assistenziale. Materiali e metodi È stata condotta un’analisi di layout di diversi PS – considerati best practices – di ospedali italiani (6 casi studio con accessi annui compresi tra 35.000 e 70.000, 6 tra 70.000 e 100.000, e 4 tra 100.000 e 130.000), compresivi anche di DEA di I e II livello. I casi studio sono stati comparati attraverso una serie di criteri di analisi puntuali a partire dal dimensionamento in metri quadri, il numero di locali e box visita, e le relazioni funzionali e spaziali con le aree sanitarie di riferimento al dipartimento di emergenza per poter sviluppare delle considerazioni sui trend di progettazione, organizzazione e dimensionamenti rispetto ai volumi di attività erogate. Risultati L’analisi e la comparazione dei casi studio ha permesso di definire i trend principali presenti in Italia evidenziando, in particolare, le seguenti tematiche: modello organizzativo (per codice di priorità o di intensità di cura); dimensionamento delle area di attesa interne ed esterne; numero delle postazioni e box, e ambulatori; spazi operativi correlati all’emergenza, quali le aree di decontaminazione, la camera calda, l’Osservazione Breve Intensiva, ecc.; la distanza e i principali dati relativi al blocco operatorio per emergenze, il dipartimento di emergenza, la terapia intensiva, la diagnostica per immagini ecc. Conclusioni Alla luce dei trend progettuali, organizzativi e gestionali, e dei dimensionamenti dell’area del PS attraverso i volumi di attività, il seguente studio – attraverso un data analysis – ha permesso di definire i dimensionamenti ottimali, stimando il trend di superficie medio in funzione per gli accessi annuali, e il numero di postazioni di shock room, box e ambulatori utili per il predimensionamento di un’area di PS. Prossimo step del lavoro di ricerca è quello di indagare il dimensionamento e numero di postazioni, a partire dai volumi di attività, delle aree che compongono il DEA

Use of Radium-223 Dichloride in Patients With Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Induced by Zoledronic Acid: Report of 2 Cases.

Bisphosphonates, a group of inorganic pyrophosphate analogues that prevent the loss of bone density, are commonly used in patients with bone metastases; the calcium-mimetic a-emitter radium-223 dichloride (Ra223) is a bone-targeting therapy used in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)-related bone metastases. Both treatments reduce pain and disability; Ra223 is associated with significantly improved overall survival in mCRPC. Patients who receive bisphosphonate therapy are at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, especially in those who do not undergo an accurate oral evaluation and sanitation before the beginning of therapy, and in patients who present with conditions that facilitate the development of this problem, such as inadequate oral and dental care, lack of prophylactic antimicrobial mouth rinsing, patient comorbidity, or suboptimal suturing after tooth extraction. Although there is possible synergism between bisphosphonates and Ra223 therapy, there is no consensus about the use of Ra223 in patients with previous/current osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by zoledronic acid. However, our experience suggests that Ra223 therapy might not be contraindicated in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by zoledronic acid if an appropriate multidisciplinary approach is followed, and we report 2 cases of patients with current or previous osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by zoledronic acid, who were treated with Ra223 for mCRPCrelated bone metastases. Multidisciplinary management, including accurate clinical and radiological evaluation before beginning therapy with Ra223, together with oral sanitation and periodic controls during treatment, allowed successful administration of Ra223 while reducing side effects, with absent or minimal worsening of osteonecrosis

CARE-compliant stereotactic radiotherapy of urothelial nodal metastases: A case report

The aim of the present study was to report the case of a 58-year-old male patient with ureteral carcinoma who underwent ureteroileostomy treatment. At 2 years following surgery, six lymph node metastases (LNMs) were detected in the patient's para-aortic and pelvic regions using F-18-labeled fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. All LNMs were treated using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT; 35-40 Gy/5 fractions). At 3 months after radiotherapy, F-18-FDG-PET/CT examination revealed a complete radiological and metabolic response of all targeted treatment sites in the patient. In the 2 years following radiotherapy, another three same-dose SBRT treatments were performed on single or multiple LNMs, which were all detected in the abdomen and pelvis of the patient. Overall, a total of 11 LNMs were targeted in the patient and all exhibited complete radiological and metabolic response following treatment. The only treatment side effect reported by the patient was a slight and temporary loss of appetite. In patients with lymph node oligometastases there are two options for radiotherapy: i) Irradiation focusing on LNMs alone; and ii) prophylactic irradiation of the entire lymph node area combined with a boost on macroscopic lesions. In the patient discussed in the present study, the choice of irradiation focusing on LNMs alone made it possible to postpone systemic therapies and instead use an optimally tolerated treatment. The treatment outcome in this patient indicated that there was no radioresistance of urothelial LNMs

Non-melanoma skin cancer treated with high-doserate brachytherapy and Valencia applicator in elderly patients: a retrospective case series

Purpose: The incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has been increasing over the past 30 years. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common subtypes of NMSC. The aim of this study was to estimate tumour control, toxicity, and aesthetic events in elderly patients treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) using Valencia applicator. Material and methods: From January 2012 to May 2015, 57 lesions in 39 elderly eligible patients were enrolled. All the lesions had a diameter ≤ 25 mm (median: 12.5 mm) and a depth ≤ 4 mm. The appropriate Valencia applicator, 2 or 3 cm in diameter was used. The prescribed dose was 40 Gy in 8 fractions (5 Gy/fraction) in 48 lesions (group A), and 50 Gy in 10 fractions (5 Gy/fraction) in 9 lesions (group B), delivered 2/3 times a week. The biological effective dose (BED) was 60 Gy and 75 Gy, respectively. Results: After median follow-up of 12 months, 96.25% lesions showed a complete response and only two cases presented partial remission. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group – European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) G 1-2 acute toxicities were observed in 63.2% of the lesions: 56.3% in group A and 77.7% in group B. Late G1-G2 toxicities was observed in 19.3% of the lesions: 18.8% in group A and 22.2% in group B, respectively. No G3 or higher acute or late toxicities occurred. In 86% of the lesions, an excellent cosmetic result was observed (87.5% in group A and 77.8% in group B). Six lesions had a good cosmetic outcome and only 2.3% presented a fair cosmetic impact. Conclusions: The treatment of NMSC with HDR-BT using Valencia surface applicator is effective with excellent and good cosmetics results in elderly patients. The hypofractionated course appears effective and no statistical differences were observed between the two groups analysed

Role of perfusion CT in the evaluation of functional primary tumour response after radiochemotherapy in head and neck cancer: Preliminary findings

Objective: To report the initial results of a prospective study aimed at evaluating the CT perfusion parameter changes (ΔPCTp) of the primary tumour after radiochemotherapy (RCT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) and to correlate with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT response. Methods: Eligibility criteria included HNC (Stage III-IV) candidates for RCT. Patients underwent perfusion CT (PCT) at baseline and at 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment. Blood volume, blood flow, mean transit time (MTT) and permeability surface (PS) product were computed. Moreover, PET/CT was performed at baseline and 3 months after treatment. The ΔPCTp were evaluated between baseline and 3-week/3-month evaluations, whereas PET/CT response was based on the maximum standardized uptake value changes according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria. Results: Between July 2012 and July 2015, 25 patients were enrolled. A significant reduction of all CT tumour perfusion parameters (PCTp) was observed from the baseline to after RCT (p<0.001). Specifically, a significant reduction was shown at 3 weeks for all PCTp except MTT (from 6.18 to 5.14s; p=0.722). Differently, a significant reduction of all PCTp (p<0.001) including MTT (from 6.18 to 2.24s; p=0.001) was shown at 3 months. Moreover, the reduction of PS resulted in a significant prediction of PET/CT response at 3 months (p=0.037) with the trend also at 3 weeks (p=0.099) at the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Our preliminary findings seem to show that almost all PCTp are significantly reduced after RCT, whereas PS seems to come out as the strongest factor in predicting the PET/CT response. Advances in knowledge: This article provides information on the potential useful role of PCT in evaluating tumour response after both early and late RCT

The role of clinicopathologic and molecular prognostic factors in the post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT): a retrospective analysis of 912 patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of clinicopathologic and molecular features with loco-regional recurrence (LRR) in post-mastectomy breast cancer patients with or without adjuvant radiotherapy (PMRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients undergone to mastectomy followed or not by PMRT between January 2004 and June 2013. The patients were divided according to clinicopathologic and molecular sub-classification features. LRR and Cancer Specific Survival (CSS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method; the prognostic factors were compared using long-rank tests and Cox regression model. RESULTS: A total of 912 patients underwent to mastectomy of whom 269 (29.5%) followed by PMRT and 643 (70.5%) not; among the PMRT group, 77 underwent to the chest wall (CW) and 202 to the chest wall and lymphatic drainage (CWLD) irradiation. The median follow-up was 54 months (range, 3-118). No significant difference in terms of LRR and CSS was found between non-PMRT and PMRT group (p=0.175; and p=0.628). The multivariate analysis of LRR for patients who did not undergo PMRT showed a significant correlation with the presence of extracapsular extension (ECE) (p=0.049), Ki-67>30% (p=0.048) and triple negative status (p=0.001). In the PMRT group, triple negative status resulted as the only variable significantly correlated to LRR (p=0.006) at the multivariate analysis and T-stage also showed a trend to significance (p=0.073). Finally, no difference in LRR control was shown between CW and CWLD-PMRT (p=0.078). CONCLUSIONS: After mastectomy ECE, a cut off of Ki-67>30% and triple negative status werestrictly correlated with LRR regardless of clinicopathologic stage. PMRT has a positive impact in decreasing LRR in patients with this molecular profile. Besides, CW might represent a valid option for patients with one to three positive nodes

Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying multiple alleles of antigen 43-encoding gene of Escherichia coli associated with biofilm formation

A clinical strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae typed as sequence type 307 carrying three different alleles of the flu gene encoding the Escherichia coli virulence factor antigen 43 associated with biofilm formation was detected and characterized. The flu alleles are located in the chromosome inside putative integrative conjugative elements. The strain displays the phenotypes associated with Ag43, i.e. bi-phasic colony morphology and enhanced biofilm production. Furthermore, the strain produces low amount of capsule known to affect Ag43 function. Analysis of 1431 worldwide deposited genomes revealed that 3.7% Klebsiella pneumoniae carry one or two flu alleles