Innovative Wireless Localization Techniques and Applications

Innovative methodologies for the wireless localization of users and related applications are addressed in this thesis. In last years, the widespread diffusion of pervasive wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) and global localization services (e.g., GPS) has boosted the interest and the research on location information and services. Location-aware applications are becoming fundamental to a growing number of consumers (e.g., navigation, advertising, seamless user interaction with smart places), private and public institutions in the fields of energy efficiency, security, safety, fleet management, emergency response. In this context, the position of the user - where is often more valuable for deploying services of interest than the identity of the user itself - who. In detail, opportunistic approaches based on the analysis of electromagnetic field indicators (i.e., received signal strength and channel state information) for the presence detection, the localization, the tracking and the posture recognition of cooperative and non-cooperative (device-free) users in indoor environments are proposed and validated in real world test sites. The methodologies are designed to exploit existing wireless infrastructures and commodity devices without any hardware modification. In outdoor environments, global positioning technologies are already available in commodity devices and vehicles, the research and knowledge transfer activities are actually focused on the design and validation of algorithms and systems devoted to support decision makers and operators for increasing efficiency, operations security, and management of large fleets as well as localized sensed information in order to gain situation awareness. In this field, a decision support system for emergency response and Civil Defense assets management (i.e., personnel and vehicles equipped with TETRA mobile radio) is described in terms of architecture and results of two-years of experimental validation

An Impedimetric Biosensing Strategy Based on Bicyclic Peptides as Bioreceptors for Monitoring huPA Cancer Biomarker

In the era of liquid biopsies, the reliable and cost-effective detection and screening of cancer biomarkers has become of fundamental importance, thus paving the way for the advancement of research in the field of point-of-care testing and the development of new methodologies and technologies. Indeed, the latter ones can help designing advanced diagnostic tools that can offer portability, ease of use with affordable production and operating costs. In this respect, impedance-based biosensing platforms might represent an attractive alternative. In this work, we describe a proof-of-concept study aimed at designing portable impedimetric biosensors for the monitoring of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (h-uPA) cancer biomarker by employing small synthetic receptors. Aberrant levels of h-uPA were correlated with different types of cancers. Herein, we report the use of two bicyclic peptides (P2 and P3) which have been engineered to bind h-uPA with high affinity and exquisite specificity. The synthetic receptors were immobilized via biotin-streptavidin chemistry on the surface of commercial screen-printed electrodes. The impedimetric changes in the electrode/solution interface upon incubation of spiked h-uPA samples in the presence of a redox probe were followed via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The P3-based impedimetric assay showed the best outcomes in terms of dynamic range and linearity (0.01–1 μg mL−1) and sensitivity (LOD = 9 ng mL−1). To fully assess the performances of P3 over P2, and to compare the label-free architecture vs. labelled architecture, a voltammetric assay was also developed

Collective Action and Social Innovation in the Energy Sector: A Mobilization Model Perspective

This conceptual paper applies a mobilization model to Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) in the energy sector. The goal is to synthesize aspects of sustainable transition theories with social movement theory to gain insights into how CAIs mobilize to bring about niche-regime change in the context of the sustainable energy transition. First, we demonstrate how energy communities, as a representation of CAIs, relate to social innovation. We then discuss how CAIs in the energy sector are understood within both sustainability transition theory and institutional dynamics theory. While these theories are adept at describing the role energy CAIs have in the energy transition, they do not yet offer much insight concerning the underlying social dimensions for the formation and upscaling of energy CAIs. Therefore, we adapt and apply a mobilization model to gain insight into the dimensions of mobilization and upscaling of CAIs in the energy sector. By doing so we show that the expanding role of CAIs in the energy sector is a function of their power acquisition through mobilization processes. We conclude with a look at future opportunities and challenges of CAIs in the energy transition.This research was conducted under the COMETS (Collective action Models for Energy Transition and Social Innovation) project, funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Program of the European Commission, grant number 837722

An unusual suicide by carbon monoxide intoxication: 91% HbCO saturation in a sealed setting

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common lethal poison in every community yet studied. Accidental or suicidal CO poisoning has been reported as the most frequent manner of death. In the case we report here, a man was found dead inside his house with a strong smell of burning. The house presented no signs of effraction, and a lot of scotch tape was placed around the windows and doors edges as well as the keyholes to avoid any passage of air. Near the bed, there was an extinguished brazier with combusted carbon. After the external examination of the body a toxicological analysis was performed. The results pointed out 91% HbCO saturation in absence of signs of intermediate intoxication on the body or on the scene. This article aims to outline the importance of performing a multidisciplinary approach that includes an accurate crime scene investigation and a proper toxicological assessment, to evaluate the cause of death in cases of suspected CO inhalation suicide. The crime scene investigation together with the very high levels of HbCO saturation detected, suggest a possible correlation between time of exposure, source of CO, and saturation levels

Koncept IRMA primijenjen na rijeku Cetinu i splitsko slivno područje

Integrated coastal zone and river basin management systems are being developed to meet important societal needs such as the sustainable development of coastal areas, the exploitation of their resources and the protection of the coastal environment. The sustainable development of coastal areas depends on the quality of the marine environment. In this context, the ADRICOSM project (ADRIatic sea integrated COastal areaS and river basin Management system pilot project) has developed an assessment/forecasting system that enables policy decisions to be taken in a modern and efficient way. The integrated approach imposed by the EC’s Water Framework Directive has been validated in a pilot area located in Croatia that includes all the main components responsible for pollution generation and transportation: urban watershed, river basin and coastal area. An integrated model has been developed combining different tools to simulate the hydraulic and waterquality performance of the overall system. This model has then been used to forecast the benefits derived from priority works focused on reducing land-based pollution.Izrađen je integralni sustav upravljanja obalnim područjem i riječnim bazenom s ciljem ostvarenje društvenih ciljeva veznih uz održivi razvoj obalnih područja te korištenje i zaštite prirodnih resursa - okoliša. Održivi razvoj obalnih područja u znatnoj mjeri ovisi o kakvoći morskog okoliša pa se isti mora cjelovito obuhvatiti i tretirati. U skladu s tim ciljem izrađen je ADRICOSM projekt (Pilot projekt Integralnog sustava upravljanja jadranskim obalnim područjima i riječnim bazenima). To je jedan moderan i učinkovit sustav -alat za analizu i prognozu stanja okoliša koji pomaže i omogućava donosiocima odluke da donose dobre dugoročne razvojne odluke. Integralni koncept i pristup upravljanja vodnim bogatstvima koji se zahtjeva EU okvirnom direktivom o vodama je u ovom projektu primijenjen, analiziran i vrednovan. Razvijeni su modeli za simulaciju i prognozu stanja u urbanom vodnom sustavu, riječnom bazenu i obalnom moru te integrirani u jedan jedinstveni upravljački sustav. Ovaj alat je primijenjen na rješavanje problema vezanih za upravljanje rijekom Cetinom, kanalizacijskim sustavom Splita i splitskim obalnim područjem. Rezultat ovog projekta su smjernice za upravljanje vodnim resursima pilot područja, te integralne mjere za kontrolu zagađenja mora i vode riječnog bazena

Monitoring of a full-scale embankment experiment regarding soil–vegetation–atmosphere interactions

Slope mass-wasting like shallow slides are mostly triggered by climate effects, such as rainfall, and soil–vegetation–atmosphere (SVA) interactions play a key role. SVA interactions are studied by a full-scale embankment with different orientations (North and South) and vegetation covers (bare and vegetated) in the framework of the prediction of climate change effects on slope stability in the Pyrenees. A clayey sand from the Llobregat river delta was used for the construction of the embankment and laboratory tests showed the importance of suction on the strength and hydraulic conductivity. Sixty sensors, which are mostly installed at the upper soil layer of the embankment, registered 122 variables at four vertical profiles and the meteorological station with a 5 min scan rate. Regarding temperature, daily temperature fluctuation at the shallow soil layer disappeared at a depth of about 0.5 m. There was great influence of orientation with much higher values at the South-facing slope (up to 55 °C at -1 cm depth) due to solar radiation. Regarding rainfall infiltration, only long duration rainfalls produced an important increase of soil moisture and pore water pressure, while short duration rainfalls did not trigger significant variations. However, these changes mostly affected the surface soil layer and decreased with depth.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Plasma and dried blood spot lysosphingolipids for the diagnosis of different sphingolipidoses: a comparative study.

Abstract Background Lysosphingolipids, the N-deacylated forms of sphingolipids, have been identified as potential biomarkers of several sphingolipidoses, such as Gaucher, Fabry, Krabbe and Niemann-Pick diseases and in GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses. To date, different methods have been developed to measure various lysosphingolipids (LysoSLs) in plasma. Here, we present a novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for a simultaneous quantification of LysoSLs (HexSph, LysoGb3, LysoGM1, LysoGM2, LysoSM and LysoSM509) in dried blood spot (DBS). This LC-MS/MS method was used to compare the levels of LysoSLs in DBS and plasma in both affected patients and healthy controls. Methods Lysosphingolipids were extracted from a 3.2 mm diameter DBS with a mixture of methanol:acetonitrile:water (80:15:5, v/v) containing internal stable isotope standards. Chromatographic separation was performed using a C18 column with a gradient of water and acetonitrile both with 0.1% formic acid in a total run time of 4 min. The compounds were detected in the positive ion mode electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Results The method was validated on DBS to demonstrate specificity, linearity, lowest limit of quantification, accuracy and precision. The reference ranges were determined in pediatric and adult populations. The elevated levels of LysoSLs were identified in Gaucher disease (HexSph), Fabry disease (LysoGb3), prosaposin deficiency (HexSph and LysoGb3) and Niemann-Pick disease types A/B and C (LysoSM and LysoSM509). The correlation in the levels between DBS and plasma was excellent for LysoGb3 and HexSph but poor for LysoSM and LysoSM509. Conclusions Despite the fact that plasma LysoSLs determination remains the gold standard, our LC-MS/MS method allows a rapid and reliable quantification of lysosphingolipids in DBS. The method is a useful tool for the diagnosis of different sphingolipidoses except for Niemann-Pick type C

Caracterización de un sistema fotovoltaico de 3,3 kW interconectado a la red eléctrica del CERT-UNJBG, Tacna: octubre 2016 – octubre 2017

Se presenta los resultados experimentales obtenidos con el sistema solar fotovoltaico de 3,3 KW interconectado a la red eléctrica del Centro de Energías Renovables (CERT) de la Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann de Tacna, Perú, para el periodo octubre 2016 a octubre 2017, el cual viene funcionando desde junio de 2014 en marco de operación académica entre la Universidad de Jaén-España y la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI) la Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann (UNJBG), bajo la ejecución del proyecto de investigación EMERGIENDO CON EL SOL (PES), bajo el objetivo de generar y monitorear la energía eléctrica usando como fuente energética la energía del sol, a través de un sistema fotovoltaico de interconexión a la red eléctrica de 3,3 kW de potencia, suministrando energía a 220 VAC, 60 Hz a la red eléctrica de la Ciudad Universitaria de la UNJBG, caracterizándolo integralmente bajo las condiciones meteorológicas ambientales y de irradiancia solar de la ciudad de Tacna. El sistema generó la potencia máxima el 16 de octubre de 2016 equivalente a 3043 W, la energía máxima el 21 de enero de 2015 equivalente a 21 kWh, desde su instalación en diciembre de 2014 al 09 de noviembre de 2017 el sistema ha funcionado continuamente 21471 horas.La producción energética en el 2014 fue de 526 KWh, de 5230 KWh el 2015, de 5205 KWh el 2016 y de 4280 KWh al 09 de noviembre de 2017, generando en total 15242 KWh, significando a la UNJBG un ahorro monetario de S/ 7797,2 por el concepto de ahorro del consumo de energía eléctrica. La eficiencia promedio anualizada es del 13.75 %, los paneles fotovoltaicos alcanzaron su máxima temperatura superficial de 51.3 °C en enero (verano) y la mínima de 41.8 en junio (invierno) a valores de temperatura ambiental de 30.1 y 20.5 °C, respectivamente

energy retrofit and environmental sustainability improvement of a historical farmhouse in southern italy

Abstract This paper proposes an integrated rehabilitation project of an abandoned farmhouse in a rural area in Southern Italy. The building underwent a functional recovery to become a tourist accommodation. The use of natural materials can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints considering environmental sustainability aspects. A proper selection of interventions targeted for the specific warm climate has led to benefits for heating, cooling and lighting in the interior spaces. The project also includes the integration of hydraulic facilities and landscaping, such as planting hedges, green barriers and native trees