(Metodi HCD x Approcci More-than-human) = Design Inclusivo^3

L’ambito dello studio presentato è relativo a nuove pratiche e metodi del fare design per contribuire in maniera più impattante nella mission dell’inclusione. Ovvero un design inclusivo non più solo verso la variabilità degli utenti, bensì verso tutti gli animali (oltre all’essere umano), le piante e gli elementi naturali che risentono del progetto. Si tratta di un approccio More-Than-Human Centered, volto a rispondere alle esigenze del periodo storico attuale. Il contributo analizza tre casi studio di progettazione More-Than-Human, individuando strumenti e pratiche adottate, evidenziando difficoltà e soluzioni per riuscire ad includere i non-human agency all’interno del processo progettuale. Si evidenzia come i tre fattori principali che possono aiutare i progettisti in tale compito siano: utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici, testimonianze dell’esperienza diretta di persone che vivono in un preciso contesto, partecipazione al progetto di non-human player anche in qualità di strumento (sebbene quest’ultimo punto ponga diverse questioni etiche). Se tali fattori possono contribuire alla raccolta di informazioni su abitudini, esigenze e problematiche inerenti i vari agency che caratterizzano un ecosistema, si rende poi necessario un importante lavoro di traduzione in un linguaggio universalmente comprensibile, attraverso la rappresentazione dei dati sotto varie forme

Wind Energy Forecast in Complex Sites with a Hybrid Neural Network and CFD based Method

Abstract The wind is an intermittent renewable energy source and the energy production forecast is a fundamental activity for many reasons (grid regulation, maintenance, etc.). In this work a hybrid method (based on weather forecast data, neural networks and computational fluid dynamics) and a pure neural network approach are compared in a complex terrain site. The post processing of real production data has been discovered to be a key activity. Treatment and filtering of data spreading out from the supervisory control and data acquisition system are fundamental both for training and testing methods reliability

HCD methodologies and simulation for visual rehabilitator’s education in oMERO project

The work presented originates in the context of designing for individuals with visual impairment, in the specific target refers to children from two to seven years of age. The study was conducted with the contribution of the UniGe DAD (Department of Architecture and Design) research group as part of the oMERO project, an Erasmus+ project funded by the European Community (2020–2023), with the aim of creating a curriculum for training the profession of visual rehabilitator for children. The article illustrates a case study carried out using the simulation technique at the University of Genoa’s Center for Simulation and Advanced Training. The approach intended to be applied to this course is innovative, involving the immersive and experiential participation of students and the adoption of the most advanced training technologies in the field of simulation. Expert designers, physicians, ophthalmologists, psychologists and visual rehabilitators were involved to proceed with the implementation of the experiment, resulting in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary study. The ultimate goal is to provide students with standardized criteria for assessing and appropriately intervening in the living spaces of the child with visual impairment. The preliminary phase involved the simulation of a home environment, specifically the setup of a child’s bedroom. The SimAv setup is based on a film set. Equipped with the most advanced technology, it allows the recording and creation of digital content and the configuration of environments, such as the arrangement and number of furnishings and the variation of ambient brightness, fundamental elements to ensure the autonomy of simple and basic actions, provided in the educational modules. Specifically, the bedroom was set up with standard elements, recreating a real context. The front door and a window were also simulated in the room. The placement of the various elements in the room was designed according to the needs of visually impaired and blind children, and the experimentation was divided into two moments characterized by two setups. The first set-up involved dazzling lighting and the selection of objects that were difficult to distinguish, then the environment was modified through the use of contrasting elements, visual markers, and appropriate lighting through dimmable lights. The experiment was carried out by students from different European countries who participated in the two courses wearing glasses to simulate visual impairment. In addition, students were asked to complete certain tasks during the experiment. At the end of each route, the participants filled out an accessibility evaluation form through which they defined the level of difficulty of the tasks and made suggestions to improve the existing layout in terms of placement or choice of furniture, materials, lighting, color contrasts, pathways and tactility. Through this experimentation, the data collected allowed the research team to understand the possible modifications to be made to the environment and to identify the elements that could make the experiment reproducible in different home settings in order to define a protocol for adapting the spaces to the needs of the target audience

Beyond personas. Machine Learning to personalise the project

The paper deals with some problems linked to Human-Centred Design (HCD) methods, namely Personas, that may mislead the designers to create distorted and stereotypical representations of users. These archetypal models of ‘human’ are questioned in favour of a data processing approach, that better responds to the needs of the projects contextualised in our hyperconnected society. The core value of this approach is the ability to adapt, based on algorithms capable of matching the product to the activity of each user. These considerations aim to balance the important benefits of the HCD design methods with necessary caution on the introduction of new tools still in verification. The integration of the well-established HCD methods with the new possibilities given by datafication originates a design process integrating the two aspects and that is presented at the end of the paper

Spazi Comuni. Scenari universitari per il ritorno alla a-normalità

L’idea di ricerca consiste nella mappatura e valutazione comparativa di ipotesi progettuali per il riavvio delle attività in ambito universitario, che prevedono la convivenza di esperienze in presenza e da remoto. Lo studio propone di esplorare le azioni quotidiane che caratterizzano gli spazi fisici universitari attraverso l’approccio user journey map al fine di progettare la comunicazione e la fruizione avvalendosi di aggiornate tecniche hcd e ux

SIparte: Orientamento, Formazione e un Hackathon Rurale e supporto di idee Imprenditoriali Innovative in Aree Montane

La Valbelluna, in Provincia di Belluno (Veneto), \ue8 un\u2019area prevalentemente montana caratterizzata da un importante patrimonio naturale e culturale, ospitante siti Unesco e parchi nazionali. L\u2019area, bench\ue9 abitata da una societ\ue0 civile altamente impegnata, negli ultimi decenni ha visto un calo delle opportunit\ue0 lavorative per i giovani accompagnato da scarse possibilit\ue0 di formazione specifica nei settori dell\u2019agricoltura, del turismo, degli aspetti culturali e dell\u2019inclusione sociale ed un progressivo spopolamento (GAL Prealpi e Dolomiti, Programma di Sviluppo Locale, 2016). Con la crisi del 2008, il divario nei livelli di disoccupazione tra giovani ed altre fasce d\u2019et\ue0 \ue8 andato ampliandosi. In questo contesto, si inserisce un percorso di innovazione sociale volto a incrementare le opportunit\ue0 di giovani imprenditori, sostenendo indirettamente la resilienza della popolazione locale e uno sviluppo territoriale sostenibile, attento alle dinamiche ambientali, culturali e socio-economiche. Attraverso il progetto EU Horizon 2020 \u201cSocial Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas\u201d (SIMRA), il cui obiettivo si esplica nello studio di azioni di innovazione sociale in aree rurali marginalizzate dei paesi europei e del Mediterraneo, si \ue8 attuata un\u2019azione innovativa nella collaborazione tra l\u2019Universit\ue0 di Padova, lo spin-off Etifor ed il Gruppo di Azione Locale (GAL) Prealpi e Dolomiti. L\u2019azione \ue8 stata sviluppata in risposta ad esigenze percepite sul territorio, per contrastare lo spopolamento giovanile ed il crescente impoverimento del tessuto culturale, economico e sociale. Si \ue8 puntato a stimolare la creazione di nuovi network e a supportare lo sviluppo di idee imprenditoriali giovanili legate all\u2019innovazione sociale, attraverso un percorso formativo ad-hoc, basato su tecniche di approccio partecipativo. In una prima serie di incontri hanno partecipato 30 giovani del territorio con varie idee che spaziavano dal settore culturale-ricreativo, a quello agricolo e forestale fino allo sviluppo rurale. Con un hackathon rurale di 36 ore che ha visto 6 gruppi (per un totale di 24 giovani imprenditori) cimentarsi nell\u2019affinare e presentare la loro idea imprenditoriale con l\u2019aiuto di professionisti ricercatori provenienti da vari ambienti, si \ue8 chiusa la prima fase. L\u2019idea vincente \ue8 stata premiata supportandone la fase di start-up. Il team vincente ha infatti iniziato ad approfondire la propria idea in una serie di incontri faccia a faccia. Attualmente si stanno raccogliendo i risultati iniziali, e la conferenza sar\ue0 l\u2019occasione per una prima presentazione pubblica

Characteristics of Patients Experiencing a Flare of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis: A Multicenter Observational Study

Background: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, severe inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent episodes of flares. Characteristics of patients experiencing a flare are hardly described in a real-life setting. The aim of the study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients experiencing a flare of GPP. Methods: Multicenter retrospective observational study on consecutive patients experiencing a flare of GPP between 2018 and 2022. Disease severity and quality of life were assessed by Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Area, Body Surface Area (BSA), and Severity Index (GPPASI), and Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire, respectively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of itch and pain, triggers, complications, comorbidities, pharmacological therapies, and outcome were collected. Results: A total of 66 patients, 45 (68.2%) females, mean age 58.1 ± 14.9 years, were included. The GPPASI, BSA, and DLQI were 22.9 ± 13.5 (mean ± standard deviation), 47.9 ± 29.1, and 21.0 ± 5.0, respectively. The VAS of itch and pain were 6.2 ± 3.3 and 6.2 ± 3.0, respectively. Fever (>38 ◦C) and leukocytosis (WBC > 12 × 109/L) were found in 26 (39.4%) and 39 (59.1%) patients, respectively. Precipitating triggers were identified in 24 (36.3%) and included infections (15.9%), drugs (10.6%), stressful life events (7.6%), and corticosteroids withdrawal (3.0%). Fourteen (21.2%) patients were hospitalized because of complications including infections in 9 (13.6%)leading to death in one case and hepatitis in 3 (4.5%). Conclusions: GPP flares can be severe and cause severe pain and itch with significant impact on the quality of life. In about one-third of patients the flare may have a persistent course and, with complications, lead to hospitalization