UNITOR @ DANKMEMES: Combining Convolutional Models and Transformer-based architectures for accurate MEME management

This paper describes the UNITOR system that participated to the “multimoDal Artefacts recogNition Knowledge for MEMES” (DANKMEMES) task within the context of EVALITA 2020. UNITOR implements a neural model which combines a Deep Convolutional Neural Network to encode visual information of input images and a Transformer-based architecture to encode the meaning of the attached texts. UNITOR ranked first in all subtasks, clearly confirming the robustness of the investigated neural architectures and suggesting the beneficial impact of the proposed combination strategy

Functionalization of graphene related materials with biosourced C-3 and C-6 building blocks. From synthesis to applications

The functionalization of sp2 carbon allotropes is one of the hot research topics in advanced research on materials. Nowadays, carbon nanotubes and graphene related materials are extensively studied due to their exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. They are capable of substantially improving the properties of polymeric materials. Their functionalization is a crucial step, for allowing an even dispersion in the matrix. In this research, the functionalization of graphene related materials was performed with biosourced C-3 and C-6 molecules. They were glycerol and galactaric acid derivatives: pyrrole compounds (PyC) and 2-pyrones. The reactions for their synthesis and for the carbon allotrope functionalization were green and characterized by high atom efficiency, with a yield up to 96%. Indeed, the reactions were carried out in the absence of solvents and catalysts and adducts were obtained by simply mixing, with the help of either thermal or mechanical energy. The developed functionalization methods were successful for: carbon black, carbon nanotubes, few layers graphene. The bulk structure of the carbon substrate was left substantially unaltered: functionalization occurred in peripheral positions, at the edges of the graphene layers. Functional groups of defined chemical structure were covalently bound to the carbon material and stable adducts, up to very high temperature, were formed. Reliable hypotheses for the functionalization mechanisms were elaborated. In Figure 1b the supposed domino reaction based on the pyrrole compound, with the Diels Alder cycloaddition as the last step is represented. Such functionalization technique was developed as a pervasive technology, which allowed to pursue a variety of applications: (i) decoration with metals to obtain catalysts for the selective deuteration of pharmaceutical molecules as well as antibacterial ingredients (ii) rubber compounds for dynamic-mechanical applications (tires) (iii) conductive inks

Cost analysis in the management of moderate-to-severe psoriasis: comparison between conventional and biological systemic therapies

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with an important socio-economic burden. Available therapies include conventional systemic drugs and biological drugs, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, that are characterized by high costs. Aim. Perform a cost-estimation analysis of conventional treatment vs therapy with biosimilar TNF-α inhibitor between January 2021 and January 2022, according to the Apulia regional cost list. Methods. The average annual expenditure per patient on conventional treatment (cyclosporine and methotrexate) vs therapy with biosimilar TNF-α inhibitor was compared. The 'cost per responder' was determined by analyzing the percentages of 'responders' (patients achieving PASI 75 and PASI 90) and 'non-responders' (PASI <75) after one year of treatment. Results. The annual per capita expenditure with cyclosporin was €3,515.35, with methotrexate was €1,048.87, while for treatment with TNF-α biosimilar inhibitor drug was €3,030.11. The "cost per responder" analysis showed a value of €8,573 for cyclosporine, €2,834 for methotrexate, and €3,564 for TNF-α biosimilar inhibitor. Conclusions. Conventional drugs have a greater impact on healthcare expenditure than TNF-α biosimilar inhibitors

Development of a Research Test Rig for Advanced Analyses in Centrifugal Compressors

Abstract In this study, the design process of a new research test rig for centrifugal compressor stages is presented. The rig has been specifically conceived for advanced analyses, with particular focus on rotating stall and in general on the operating conditions close to the minimum flow limit, which represent the research frontier in view of an extension of the stages rangeability. The new rig will be able to test industrial impellers at peripheral Mach numbers up to 0.7, operating in open-loop with ambient inlet conditions. A modular design will allow to test different stage configurations and then to carry out systematic optimization campaigns on a single specific component. The conceptual design of the rig is here described and explained, including the selection of the best architecture and layout, the drivetrain assessment and the rotordynamic analysis

pathogenesis of takotsubo syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an enigmatic disease with a multifactorial and still unresolved pathogenesis. Postulated mechanisms include catecholamine excess, coronary artery spasm, and microvascular dysfunction, however catecholamines seem to play a central role in the pathophysiology of TTS. In facts catecholamines have relevant effects on the vasculature and myocardium. Toxic direct effects of catecholamine on myocardium are mediated by multiple pathway including functional hypoxia, metabolic changes and changes in membrane permeability leading to various electrolytic imbalances. Recently report of familial cases has suggested a genetic component. Further research is required to help clarify the proposed hypotheses and to increase our understanding of the cardiovascular responses to acute stress and the pathophysiology underpinning TTS

EVALITA Evaluation of NLP and Speech Tools for Italian - December 17th, 2020

Welcome to EVALITA 2020! EVALITA is the evaluation campaign of Natural Language Processing and Speech Tools for Italian. EVALITA is an initiative of the Italian Association for Computational Linguistics (AILC, http://www.ai-lc.it) and it is endorsed by the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence (AIxIA, http://www.aixia.it) and the Italian Association for Speech Sciences (AISV, http://www.aisv.it)

A Vibrometer Based on Magnetorheological Optical Resonators

This paper addresses the feasibility of an optical vibrometer that is based on the shift of the optical modes, also known as whispering gallery modes (WGMs), of a magnetorheological optical resonator. The optical resonator that is used in this study is fabricated by mixing polyvinyl chloride plastisol with magnetically polarizable particles. When a permanent magnet that is located nearby the optical resonator is moved, it induces a perturbation of the morphology of the resonator, due to the magnetostrictive effect. This change in the morphology induces a shift in the optical modes of the resonator. The shift of the optical modes can be related to the displacement of the permanent magnet. The proposed sensor concept is based on monitoring the displacement of a tiny magnet that is attached to a moving surface. The optical quality factor of the resonator used in these studies was of the order of 106. The experimental results show a sensitivity of 0.32 pm/&mu;m and a resolution that is less than 300 nm

Magnetic field and electric field effect on magnetostrictive and electrostrictive photonic resonators

The goal of this work is to investigate the effect of electric and magnetic field on the optical resonances of electrostrictive and magnetorheological optical resonators. The optical resonances, also known as whispering gallery modes (WGM) or morphology dependent resonances (MDR) experience a shift in the transmission spectrum whenever the resonator changes its size and/or index of refraction. Their small size, the elimination of electrical cabling, and the high optical quality factor, Q, make them attractive for a large number of applications. In these studies, we investigate the magnetostrictive and the electrostrictive effect of fiber coupled photonic spherical resonators. The electrostrictive and the magnetostrictive effect are the elastic deformation of a solid when subject to an electric or magnetic field respectively. In these studies, three different configurations were investigated to tune the optical modes of the spherical optical resonator. In the first configuration, the resonator was fabricated by embedding magnetic micro particles in a polymeric matrix of PVC plastisol (commercial name super soft plastic, SSP). For these configurations we studied the WGM shift that was induced when the sphere was immersed in a static and a harmonic magnetic field. These results lead to the development of a magnetic flied sensor and a non-contact transduction mechanism for displacement measurements. The sphere showed a sensitivity to the magnetic field of 0.285 pm/mT and to the displacement of 0.402 pm/?m. These values lead to a resolution of 350 ?T and 248 nm respectively. The second configuration was a microsphere that was made of pure super soft plastic and was subject to a static and harmonic electric field. The results lead to the development of a non-contact displacement sensor whose sensitivity is 0.642 pm/?m and the resolution is 155 nm. Both studies also indicate for the first time that it is possible to couple light into a PVC compound and achieve high optical quality factor of the order of 106. The third configuration was a metglas film that was mechanically coupled to a PDMS microsphere. The results of these studies lead to the development of a magnetic field sensor with sensitivity and resolution of 0.6 pm/?T and 166 nT respectively. In conclusion, these studies lead to a fundamental understanding of the dynamical behavior of electrostrictive and magnetorheological optical resonators and its potential for sensing applications. In addition, these devices could be embedded into polymeric matrix for the development of materials with actuation and sensing capabilities