Design of dye-sensitized TiO2 materials for photocatalytic hydrogen production: light and shadow

Visible light-driven production of fuels and value-added chemicals is currently one of the most intensely investigated research topics across various scientific disciplines, due to its potential to ease the World\u2019s dependence on fossil fuels. In this perspective, we recapitulate some of the main features of dyesensitized photocatalytic systems aimed at solar H2 production, focusing in particular on TiO2-based threecomponent assemblies with organic sensitizers. Relevant aspects include the structural and electronic properties of the sensitizers, the nature of the semiconductor and the hydrogen evolution catalysts, the role of the sacrificial donor and the effect of the reaction parameters on H2 production rate and stability. Besides presenting the most significant recent developments of the field, we also analyse some of its common practices in terms of experimental design, laboratory procedures and data presentation, trying to highlight their weaknesses and suggesting possible improvements. We then conclude with a short paragraph discussing the possible future development of this exciting research area

Incremental disparity space image computation for automotive applications

Abstract—Generating a depth map from a pair of stereo images is a challenging task, which is often further complicated by the additional restrictions imposed by the target application; in the automotive field, for example, real-time environment reconstruction is essential for safety and autonomous navigation systems, thus requiring reduced processing times, often at the expense of a somewhat limited degree of accuracy in the results. Nevertheless, a-priori knowledge on the intended use of the algorithm can also be exploited to improve its performance, both in terms of precision and computational burden. This paper presents three different approaches to incremen-tal Disparity Space Image (DSI) computation, which leverage the properties of a stereo-vision system installed on a vehicle to produce accurate depth maps at sustained frame rates on commodity hardware. I

Key role of MEK/ERK pathway in sustaining tumorigenicity and in vitro radioresistance of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma stem-like cell population

The identification of signaling pathways that affect the cancer stem-like phenotype may provide insights into therapeutic targets for combating embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the MEK/ERK pathway in controlling the cancer stem-like phenotype using a model of rhabdospheres derived from the embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD)

Stereo obstacle detection in challenging environments: The VIAC experience

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Using ZOOM-events for Scientific Conferences: The ICHEP 2022 Experience

The organization of seminars and conferences was strongly influenced by the covid-19 pandemic. In the early period of the pandemic, many events were canceled or held completely online, using video conferencing tools such as ZOOM or MS Teams or Google Meet. Later, thanks to large-scale vaccination and immunization, it was possible to organize again large events in person. Nevertheless it was still necessary to provide online modalities for participants who could not participate in person, having in fact hybrid events with both remote and in person participation. However, in 2022, the global pandemic situation was patchy, with many countries still affected by travel restrictions, making it necessary to provide online modalities for participants who could not participate in-person, having in fact hybrid events with both remote and in-person participation. In this contribution we describe the experience with the ZOOM-Events platform, used for the ICHEP 2022 International Conference on High Energy Physics, held in Bologna in July 2022, with about 1100 participants in-person and 300 connected remotely. We describe in detail how the ZOOM-Events platform was configured for the management of the numerous parallel sessions and the granting of access to participants and how we dealt with the problems that emerged in the organizational phases

Use of the Appendix as Ureteral Substitute in a Patient with a Single Kidney Affected by Relapsing Upper Urinary Tract Carcinoma

The treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UT-TCC) in single-kidney patients requires the radical removal of cancer, but also, when feasible, the preservation of the continuity of the urinary tract by various surgical techniques. In case of wide resections during ureteral surgery, a ureteral replacement could be advocated. In the literature, the cecal appendix has rarely been used as a ureteral substitute, moreover in benign pathological conditions, showing encouraging early results. The positive functional and oncological outcomes obtained after a lengthy follow-up in a single-kidney patient with UT-TCC treated by ureteral resection and appendix interposition confirm the viability of this surgical option

The colorectal cancer screening program in the Local Health Unit n. 6 of Livorno: evaluation of the screening activity in the period 2000-2011

Introduction. The colorectal cancer screening program in the Local Health Unit n. 6 of Livorno is running since July 2000 and is meant to residents, aged between 50 and 70, who are invited to perform the test for faecal occult blood every 2 years. The aim of this work is an evaluation of the screening activity in the period 2000-2011. Methods. The evaluation is based on the analysis of the main quality indicators formulated by GISCoR (Italian Group for Colorectal screening). Results. The screening activity extension reached 93% in 2006 and 100% in 2009. The compliance level was maintained above the acceptable GISCoR value (> 45%) with a maximum of 54.9%. Values around 80% were recorded for the compliance to colonosopy. The detection rate (DR) for cancer and advanced adenoma showed, as expected, the highest values in the early years and then move on values consistently lower than the regional average. In 2011, the raw DR for cancer was 0.9 x 1000 and the raw DR for advanced adenoma 5.3 x 1000. The distribution by stage at diagnosis of screen-detected carcinomas shows that 58.1% of these were identified at stage I while the proportion of cases in stage III+ is 19.5%. Conclusions. The overall analysis shows a good performance of the program. The proportion of colonoscopies performed on the total number of positive subjects remains a critical point of the system. The distribution by stage of screen-detected cancers shows an excellent diagnostic anticipation of the screening program

Integrating MOOCs in physics preliminary undergraduate education: beyond large size lectures

In this paper, the authors discuss the effectiveness of MOOCs as part of a pedagogical strategy aimed at supporting Physics’ preliminary undergraduate students in large-size lectures. Our study is based on an experimental activity based on a blended course, which integrated a parallel MOOC delivered through the POK (PoliMi Open Knowledge, http://www.pok.polimi.it), the Politecnico di Milano’s MOOC portal. The blended model also delivered face-to-face activities that included intensive technology enhanced learning, like feedback based on clickers. Specifically, we introduce the several elements of the approach (the tutors’ pedagogy, the adoption of clickers, the diversity amongst learning groups) and its process of implementation. The findings in this study highlight that the integrated model is effective in terms’ of students’ learning both for small and large size lectures. More importantly, it was found that the students in large size lectures demonstrated similar or even better performance than students in a small size group. Moreover, the students in all sizes lectures showed higher satisfaction with the MOOCs’ against other factors adopted within the learning design