Computational design based approaches for public space resilient regeneration

In urban areas, the issue of resilient-based design for adaptation to climate impacts is one of those where the interdependence between technological innovation, resource governance and sustainable development strategies is relevant. Public spaces are a key system for testing the most effective strategies for reducing climate impacts through approaches that use computational design tools in climate adaptation actions. The paper presents the results of the Athenaeum Research Project funded for 2017-2019 by Federico II University entitled SIMMCITIES_NA, Scenario Impact Modelling Methodology for a Climate change-Induced hazards Tool for Integrated End-users Strategic planning and design - Napoli

Optically modulated high-sensitivity heterostructure varactor

IEEE Electron Device Letters, 27(9): pp. 710-712.A novel optically modulated high-sensitivity heterostructure varactor, demonstrated as a strong candidate for high-order frequency-multiplier applications, is reported. The device is a δ modulation-doped heterostructure of AlGaAs/GaAs with two Schottky contacts on the top. The capacitance–voltage (C–V ) measurements show a Cmax/Cmin ratio up to 113 and an extremely high nonlinearity during the transition from high to low capacitance with sensitivity of up to 35. These results are one of the best obtained so far among similar structure devices. In addition, optoelectronic experimental results demonstrate that the slope of the C–V relationship can be modulated by the intensity of the incident optical power. A model describing the source of the reported C–V results is proposed along with the simulation results verifying the observed C–V behavior

Non-hormonal treatment of vulvo-vaginal atrophy-related symptoms in post-menopausal women

In post-menopausal period vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA)-related symptoms may seriously affect women's quality of life. Hormonal replacement therapy effectively relieves these symptoms but it is not always safe or accepted, and a non-hormonal treatment is often needed instead. Over a period of 12 weeks, we tested the effect of a twice-a-week vulvo-vaginal application of a hyaluronic acid, AC collagen, isoflavones and vitamins-based cream (Perilei Pausa(®)) on 35 women in post-menopausal period, reporting VVA-related symptoms. After 12 weeks of treatment with Perilei Pausa(®) a significant improvement in vaginal dryness, vulvo-vaginal itching, dyspareunia (P < 0.001), dysuria (P = 0.02), nocturia (P = 0.009) and pollakiuria (P = 0.005) was reported by the women. Colposcopical score assessing the intensity of atrophic colpitis, cervico-vaginal paleness and petechiae was also reduced (P = 0.037, P = 0.016 and P = 0.032, respectively). No significant difference in terms of maturation value of cervico-vaginal epithelium was observed. In conclusion, Perilei Pausa(®) may represent an effective and safe alternative treatment of symptomatic VVA in post-menopausal women

Microcanonical rates, gap times, and phase space dividing surfaces

The general approach to classical unimolecular reaction rates due to Thiele is revisited in light of recent advances in the phase space formulation of transition state theory for multidimensional systems. We analyze in detail the gap time distribution and associated reactant lifetime distribution for the isomerization reaction HCN $\rightleftharpoons$ CNH. Both algebraic (power law) and exponential decay regimes have been identified. Statistical estimates of the isomerization rate are compared with the numerically determined decay rate. Examination of the decay properties of subsensembles of trajectories that exit the HCN well through either of 2 available symmetry related product channels shows that the complete trajectory ensemble effectively attains the full symmetry of the system phase space on a short timescale $t \lesssim 0.5$ ps, after which the product branching ratio is 1:1, the "statistical" value. At intermediate times, this statistical product ratio is accompanied by nonexponential (nonstatistical) decay. We point out close parallels between the dynamical behavior inferred from the gap time distribution for HCN and nonstatistical behavior recently identified in reactions of some organic molecules.Comment: 44 pages, 9 figure

Use of the WHO Access, Watch, and Reserve classification to define patterns of hospital antibiotic use (AWaRe): an analysis of paediatric survey data from 56 countries

BACKGROUND: Improving the quality of hospital antibiotic use is a major goal of WHO's global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance. The WHO Essential Medicines List Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification could facilitate simple stewardship interventions that are widely applicable globally. We aimed to present data on patterns of paediatric AWaRe antibiotic use that could be used for local and national stewardship interventions. METHODS: 1-day point prevalence survey antibiotic prescription data were combined from two independent global networks: the Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Prescribing, and Efficacy in Neonates and Children and the Global Point Prevalence Survey on Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance networks. We included hospital inpatients aged younger than 19 years receiving at least one antibiotic on the day of the survey. The WHO AWaRe classification was used to describe overall antibiotic use as assessed by the variation between use of Access, Watch, and Reserve antibiotics, for neonates and children and for the commonest clinical indications. FINDINGS: Of the 23 572 patients included from 56 countries, 18 305 were children (77·7%) and 5267 were neonates (22·3%). Access antibiotic use in children ranged from 7·8% (China) to 61·2% (Slovenia) of all antibiotic prescriptions. The use of Watch antibiotics in children was highest in Iran (77·3%) and lowest in Finland (23·0%). In neonates, Access antibiotic use was highest in Singapore (100·0%) and lowest in China (24·2%). Reserve antibiotic use was low in all countries. Major differences in clinical syndrome-specific patterns of AWaRe antibiotic use in lower respiratory tract infection and neonatal sepsis were observed between WHO regions and countries. INTERPRETATION: There is substantial global variation in the proportion of AWaRe antibiotics used in hospitalised neonates and children. The AWaRe classification could potentially be used as a simple traffic light metric of appropriate antibiotic use. Future efforts should focus on developing and evaluating paediatric antibiotic stewardship programmes on the basis of the AWaRe index. FUNDING: GARPEC was funded by the PENTA Foundation. GARPEC-China data collection was funded by the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen (SZSM2015120330). bioMérieux provided unrestricted funding support for the Global-PPS

The Usability of E-learning Platforms in Higher Education: A Systematic Mapping Study

The use of e-learning in higher education has increased significantly in recent years, which has led to several studies being conducted to investigate the usability of the platforms that support it. A variety of different usability evaluation methods and attributes have been used, and it has therefore become important to start reviewing this work in a systematic way to determine how the field has developed in the last 15 years. This paper describes a systematic mapping study that performed searches on five electronic libraries to identify usability issues and methods that have been used to evaluate e-learning platforms. Sixty-one papers were selected and analysed, with the majority of studies using a simple research design reliant on questionnaires. The usability attributes measured were mostly related to effectiveness, satisfaction, efficiency, and perceived ease of use. Furthermore, several research gaps have been identified and recommendations have been made for further work in the area of the usability of online learning