Road functional classification using pattern recognition techniques

The existing international standards suggest a methodology to assign a specific functional class to a road, by the values of some features, both geometrical and use-related. Sometimes, these characteristics are in contrast with each other and direct the analyst towards conflicting classes for a road or, worse, one or more of these features vary heterogeneously along the road. In these conditions, the analyst assigns the class that, by his capability and experience, he retains the most appropriate, in a very subjective way. On the contrary, the definition of an automatic procedure assuring an objective identification of the most appropriate functional class for each road would be desirable. Such a solution would be useful, especially when the road belongs to the existing infrastructure network or when it was not realised by out of date standards. The proposed procedure regards the definition of a classification model based on Pattern Recognition techniques, considering 13 input variables that, depending on their assumed value, direct the analyst towards one of the four functional classes defined by the Italian standards. In this way, it is possible to classify a road even when its characteristics are heterogeneous and conflicting. Moreover, the authors analysed the model limitations, in terms of errors and dataset size, considering observation and variable numbers. This approach, representing a beneficial decision support tool for the decision-maker, is exploitable for both planned and existing roads and becomes particularly advantageous for road agencies aiming to optimally allocate their limited funds for specific interventions assuring the achievement of a fixed functional class

Analysis of different visual strategies of ‘isolated vehicle’and ‘disturbed vehicle’

This paper analyses the driver’ visual behaviour in the different conditions of ‘isolated vehicle’ and ‘disturbed vehicle’. If the meaning of the former is clear, the latter condition considers the influence on the driving behaviour of various objects that could be encountered along the road. These can be classified in static (signage, stationary vehicles at the roadside, etc.) and dynamic objects (cars, motorcycles, bicycles). The aim of this paper is to propose a proper analysis regarding the driver’s visual behaviour. In particular, the authors examined the quality of the visually information acquired from the entire road environment, useful for detecting any critical safety condition. In order to guarantee a deep examination of the various possible behaviours, the authors combined the several test outcomes with other variables related to the road geometry and with the dynamic variables involved while driving. The results of this study are very interesting. As expected, they obviously confirmed better performances for the ‘isolated vehicle’ in a rural two-lane road with different traffic flows. Moreover, analysing the various scenarios in the disturbed condition, the proposed indices allow the authors to quantitatively describe the different influence on the visual field and effects on the visual behaviour, favouring critical analysis of the road characteristics. Potential applications of these results may contribute to improve the choice of the best maintenance strategies for a road, to select the optimal signage location, to define forecasting models for the driving behaviour and to develop useful instruments for intelligent transportation systems

How is the Driver's Workload Influenced by the Road Environment?

This paper focuses on the study of the driver\u2019s workload while driving on a rural two-lane road with different traffic flows. The aim of the research is to examine a parameter that could be representative of the driving effort, quite sensible to the external factors that cause disturbance to the regular driving activity. To solve this problem, the authors used a specific instrumented vehicle for monitoring some physiological parameters of the driver (as the eye movements and the Galvanic Skin Resistance), referring their values to the road context. The results are very interesting and confirm that knowing the workload is useful to improve the road safety only if it is related to the external context, as well as road geometry, traffic, visibility, etc. Only in this way, the road administrators can deduce proper information to plan and direct accurate and productive upgrade working operation

Which affects affect the use of new technologies? Italian adaptation of the Internet Motive Questionnaire for Adolescents (IMQ-A) and criterion validity with problematic use and body dissatisfaction

Given the negative role of problematic use of new technological devices (NTD) in behavioral and psychological domains, the aim of the study is the Italian adaptation and validation of the Internet Motive Questionnaire for Adolescents (IMQ-A) in order to understand the motivation for the use of NTD. A total of 769 students 10-19 aged (M = 13.22, SD = 1.56) completed the IMQ-A, the Collins Figures Rating Scale, and two measures regarding the problematic NTD use, focused on overuse during the night and during meals. The IMQ-A showed adequate internal consistency with regard to its four subscales: Coping (α = .84), Social (α = .80), Enhancement (α = .80), and Conformity (α = .68) motives. However, with regard to factorial structure, a threefactor model (excluding Conformity subscale) showed slightly better fit indices than the original model. Coping motive was correlated with problematic NTD use and succeeded in predicting higher scores in body dissatisfaction as evidence of criterion-related and external validity. The Italian adaptation of the IMQ-A can be useful in both research and clinical fields, in order to propose alternative strategies for coping to users and to improve emotion regulation facets

Open data in the health sector

NHS England have commissioned Open Health Care to gather evidence from the community of health open data users to help understand the needs of people using data outside NHS England. This report is intended to provide clear recommendations and evidence of user need to inform NHS England’s open data policy and programme development. This report, written by Giuseppe Sollazzo in collaboration with David Miller of Open Health Care, outlines what we have learned from users of health open data in the health sector and beyond. Following our interviews, discussions and subsequent analysis, we present two specific recommendations, as well as some general principles for data publishing with concrete examples. Recommendation 1 Work towards a single authoritative online point of access for datasets in the health sector, and proceed with a programme of reducing duplication in data publishing. This online service should include both direct access to open data, and a clear process to access shared data. Recommendation 2 Establish an expert and reachable data support team with a remit covering the entire health system, not limited to individual institutions. This team should be encouraged to build strong links with the wider data ecosystem and lead a health data user group

Expansion of the alveolar bone crest with ultrasonic surgery device: clinical study in mandible.

The purpose of this paper was to document the application to the split-crest mandibular procedure in two stage in order to avoid cortical resorption due to periosteal detachment in buccal cortical bone of the alveolar crest. Twenty-two healthy patients with non-contributory past medical history (14 women and 8 men, all non-smokers, mean age 59 years, range 54–65 years) were included in this study. After buccal mucoperiosteal flap was followed by a sagittal corticotomy in the coronal area of the alveolar crest and a second sagittal corticotomy, but in a lower (basal) position and two vertical corticotomies in the buccal wall, using a ultrasonic surgery device (Surgysonic, Esacrom, Imola Italy). Adequate crest expansion was achieved without compromising cortical vascularisation by utilising a combination of scalpel, thin chisels and threaded osteotomes (Bone System, Milano, Italy). Postoperative results were assessed by panoramic and periapical radiographs. Ossification of the osteotomy lines was evident and could be observed as sites with increasing radiopacity on panoramic and periapical radiographs 3 months after implants insertion. No dehiscence of the mucosa was observed. No patient suffered from hypoaesthesia. The mean horizontal bone increase in coronal area was 5±3 mm. Mandibular ridge expansion using a split-crest technique that included grafting the implant sites with a ultrasonic surgery device is a viable therapeutic alternative for implant placement in this patient population

Multidisciplinary management of anemia behind epistaxis in HHT

HHT affects one in 5000 people and occurs in all the ethnic groups and areas. It is also known as the Rendu-Osler-Weber disease and it is an inherited autosomal dominant genetic disorder, characterized by vascular abnormalities. Epistaxis, specifically recurrent and spontaneous nosebleeds, has been assessed as one of the most common, if not the most common clinical manifestation in HHT patients. The burden related to this manifestation has both psychological and physical consequences, especially since the treatment options follow a ladder that might bring to surgery and more invasive therapies. The EQ-VAS questionnaire allows us to adequately assess and classify HHT patients based on the intensity and type of epistaxis-related symptoms. This same questionnaire, which is submitted to patients during each evaluation for the benefit of anamnestic supplementation, includes both a question about the presence or absence of anemia and one about whether a red cell transfusion has been performed in the past months or since the last outpatient visit. As a matter of fact, chronic nosebleed, although mild to moderate, can lead to anemia within months or years and, in general, to a poor quality of life. Patients who have to undergo iron supplementation treatments often face the almost inevitable side effects that this therapy entails (diarrhea, constipation, nausea, persistent metallic taste, abdominal pain, etc.). Although numerous treatment options are available for patients with epistaxis phenotype, from topical to surgical, we believe, based on the successes achieved in the follow up of HHT patients at our center, that a multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to identify the patients who can benefit most from each treatment

Multidisciplinary management of anemia behind epistaxis in HHT

HHT affects one in 5000 people and occurs in all the ethnic groups and areas. It is also known as the Rendu-Osler-Weber disease and it is an inherited autosomal dominant genetic disorder, characterized by vascular abnormalities. Epistaxis, specifically recurrent and spontaneous nosebleeds, has been assessed as one of the most common, if not the most common clinical manifestation in HHT patients. The burden related to this manifestation has both psychological and physical consequences, especially since the treatment options follow a ladder that might bring to surgery and more invasive therapies. The EQ-VAS questionnaire allows us to adequately assess and classify HHT patients based on the intensity and type of epistaxis-related symptoms. This same questionnaire, which is submitted to patients during each evaluation for the benefit of anamnestic supplementation, includes both a question about the presence or absence of anemia and one about whether a red cell transfusion has been performed in the past months or since the last outpatient visit. As a matter of fact, chronic nosebleed, although mild to moderate, can lead to anemia within months or years and, in general, to a poor quality of life. Patients who have to undergo iron supplementation treatments often face the almost inevitable side effects that this therapy entails (diarrhea, constipation, nausea, persistent metallic taste, abdominal pain, etc.). Although numerous treatment options are available for patients with epistaxis phenotype, from topical to surgical, we believe, based on the successes achieved in the follow up of HHT patients at our center, that a multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to identify the patients who can benefit most from each treatment