1,884 results on '"Piselli, P."'
Search Results
2. Critical current throughout the BCS-BEC crossover with the inclusion of pairing fluctuations
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Pisani, Leonardo, Piselli, Verdiana, and Strinati, Giancarlo Calvanese
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Condensed Matter - Superconductivity ,Condensed Matter - Quantum Gases - Abstract
The present work aims at providing a systematic analysis of the current density versus momentum characteristics for a fermionic superfluid throughout the BCS-BEC crossover, even in the fully homogeneous case. At low temperatures, where pairing fluctuations are not strong enough to invalidate a quasi-particle approach, a sharp threshold for the inception of a back-flow current is found, which sets the onset of dissipation and identifies the critical momentum according to Landau. This momentum is seen to smoothly evolve from the BCS to the BEC regimes, whereby a single expression for the single-particle current density that includes pairing fluctuations enables us to incorporate on equal footing two quite distinct dissipative mechanisms, namely, pair-breaking and phonon excitations in the two sides of the BCS-BEC crossover, respectively. At finite temperature, where thermal fluctuations broaden the excitation spectrum and make the dissipative (kinetic and thermal) mechanisms intertwined with each other, an alternative criterion due to Bardeen is instead employed to signal the loss of superfluid behavior. In this way, detailed comparison with available experimental data in linear and annular geometries is significantly improved with respect to previous approaches, thereby demonstrating the crucial role played by quantum fluctuations in renormalizing the single-particle excitation spectrum., Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures
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- 2023
3. F. Piselli - F. Proietti ed., 'Les traductions comme textes politiques. Un voyage entre France et Italie (XVIe-XXe siècles)', Classiques Garnier, Paris 2017.
- Abstract
Compte-rendu du volume de F. Piselli - F. Proietti ed., "Les traductions comme textes politiques. Un voyage entre France et Italie (XVIe-XXe siècles)", Classiques Garnier, Paris 2017.
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- 2018
4. Mutual visibility in hypercube-like graphs
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Cicerone, Serafino, Di Fonso, Alessia, Di Stefano, Gabriele, Navarra, Alfredo, and Piselli, Francesco
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Mathematics - Combinatorics ,Computer Science - Data Structures and Algorithms ,G.2.2, F.2.2, G.2.1 - Abstract
Let $G$ be a graph and $X\subseteq V(G)$. Then, vertices $x$ and $y$ of $G$ are $X$-visible if there exists a shortest $u,v$-path where no internal vertices belong to $X$. The set $X$ is a mutual-visibility set of $G$ if every two vertices of $X$ are $X$-visible, while $X$ is a total mutual-visibility set if any two vertices from $V(G)$ are $X$-visible. The cardinality of a largest mutual-visibility set (resp. total mutual-visibility set) is the mutual-visibility number (resp. total mutual-visibility number) $\mu(G)$ (resp. $\mu_t(G)$) of $G$. It is known that computing $\mu(G)$ is an NP-complete problem, as well as $\mu_t(G)$. In this paper, we study the (total) mutual-visibility in hypercube-like networks (namely, hypercubes, cube-connected cycles, and butterflies). Concerning computing $\mu(G)$, we provide approximation algorithms for both hypercubes and cube-connected cycles, while we give an exact formula for butterflies. Concerning computing $\mu_t(G)$ (in the literature, already studied in hypercubes), we provide exact formulae for both cube-connected cycles and butterflies., Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures
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- 2023
5. Asynchronous Silent Programmable Matter: Line Formation
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Navarra, Alfredo and Piselli, Francesco
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Computer Science - Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing ,F.2 - Abstract
Programmable Matter (PM) has been widely investigated in recent years. It refers to some kind of matter with the ability to change its physical properties (e.g., shape or color) in a programmable way. One reference model is certainly Amoebot, with its recent canonical version (DISC 2021). Along this line, with the aim of simplification and to better address concurrency, the SILBOT model has been introduced (AAMAS 2020), which heavily reduces the available capabilities of the particles composing the PM. In SILBOT, in fact, particles are asynchronous, without any direct means of communication (silent) and without memory of past events (oblivious). Within SILBOT, we consider the Line Formation primitive in which particles are required to end up in a configuration where they are all aligned and connected. We propose a simple and elegant distributed algorithm - optimal in terms of number of movements, along with its correctness proof., Comment: The paper appears in the Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium 19 on Stabilization, Safety, and Security of Distributed Systems (SSS), 2023. A brief announcement appears in the proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Distributed Computing (DISC) 2023
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- 2023
6. Inclusion of pairing fluctuations in the differential equation for the gap parameter for superfluid fermions in the presence of nontrivial spatial constraints
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Pisani, Leonardo, Piselli, Verdiana, and Strinati, Giancarlo Calvanese
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Condensed Matter - Superconductivity - Abstract
Most theoretical treatments of inhomogeneous superconductivity/fermionic superfluidity have been based on the Bogoliubov-deGennes equations (or, else, on their various simplified forms), which implement a standard mean-field decoupling in the presence of spatial inhomogeneities. This approach is reliable even at finite temperature for weak inter-particle attraction, when the Cooper pair size is much larger than the average inter-particle distance (corresponding to the BCS limit of the BCS-BEC crossover). However, it looses accuracy for increasing attraction when the Cooper pair size becomes comparable or even smaller than the average inter-particle distance (corresponding to the BEC limit of the BCS-BEC crossover), in particular when finite-temperature effects are considered. In these cases, inclusion of pairing fluctuations beyond mean field is required, a task that turns out to be especially difficult in the presence of inhomogeneities. Here, we implement the inclusion of pairing fluctuations directly on a coarse-graining version of the Bogoliubov-deGennes equations, which makes it simpler and faster to obtain a solution over the whole sector of the temperature-coupling phase diagram of the BCS-BEC crossover in the broken-symmetry phase. We apply this method in the presence of a super-current flow, such that problems related to the Josephson effect throughout the BCS-BEC crossover can be addressed under a variety of circumstances. This is relevant in the view of recent experimental data with ultra-cold Fermi atoms, to which the results of the present approach favorably compare., Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures
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- 2023
7. Josephson current flowing through a nontrivial geometry: The role of pairing fluctuations across the BCS-BEC crossover
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Piselli, Verdiana, Pisani, Leonardo, and Strinati, Giancarlo Calvanese
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Condensed Matter - Superconductivity - Abstract
A realistic description of the Josephson effect at finite temperature with ultra-cold Fermi gases embedded in nontrivial geometrical constraints (typically, a trap plus a barrier) requires appropriate consideration of pairing fluctuations that arise in inhomogeneous environments. Here, we apply the theoretical approach developed in the companion article [Pisani \emph{et al.}, Phys. Rev. B {\bf 108}, 214503 (2023)], where the inclusion of pairing fluctuations beyond mean field across the BCS-BEC crossover at finite temperature is combined with a detailed description of the gap parameter in a nontrivial geometry. In this way, we are able to account for the experimental results on the Josephson critical current, reported both at low temperature for various couplings across the BCS-BEC crossover and as a function of temperature at unitarity. Besides validating the theoretical approach of the companion article, our numerical results reveal generic features of the Josephson effect which may not readily emerge from an analysis of corresponding experiments with condensed-matter samples owing to the unique intrinsic flexibility of experiments with ultra-cold gases., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures
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- 2023
8. On the Parameterized Complexity of Computing $st$-Orientations with Few Transitive Edges
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Binucci, Carla, Liotta, Giuseppe, Montecchiani, Fabrizio, Ortali, Giacomo, and Piselli, Tommaso
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Computer Science - Data Structures and Algorithms ,Computer Science - Computational Geometry - Abstract
Orienting the edges of an undirected graph such that the resulting digraph satisfies some given constraints is a classical problem in graph theory, with multiple algorithmic applications. In particular, an $st$-orientation orients each edge of the input graph such that the resulting digraph is acyclic, and it contains a single source $s$ and a single sink $t$. Computing an $st$-orientation of a graph can be done efficiently, and it finds notable applications in graph algorithms and in particular in graph drawing. On the other hand, finding an $st$-orientation with at most $k$ transitive edges is more challenging and it was recently proven to be NP-hard already when $k=0$. We strengthen this result by showing that the problem remains NP-hard even for graphs of bounded diameter, and for graphs of bounded vertex degree. These computational lower bounds naturally raise the question about which structural parameters can lead to tractable parameterizations of the problem. Our main result is a fixed-parameter tractable algorithm parameterized by treewidth.
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- 2023
9. Evaluating and improving social awareness of energy communities through semantic network analysis of online news
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Piselli, C., Colladon, A. Fronzetti, Segneri, L., and Pisello, A. L.
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Computer Science - Social and Information Networks ,Computer Science - Computation and Language ,Physics - Physics and Society ,I.2.7 ,H.0 ,J.4 - Abstract
The implementation of energy communities represents a cross-disciplinary phenomenon that has the potential to support the energy transition while fostering citizens' participation throughout the energy system and their exploitation of renewables. An important role is played by online information sources in engaging people in this process and increasing their awareness of associated benefits. In this view, this work analyses online news data on energy communities to understand people's awareness and the media importance of this topic. We use the Semantic Brand Score (SBS) indicator as an innovative measure of semantic importance, combining social network analysis and text mining methods. Results show different importance trends for energy communities and other energy and society-related topics, also allowing the identification of their connections. Our approach gives evidence to information gaps and possible actions that could be taken to promote a low-carbon energy transition.
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- 2022
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10. Assessing Metacognitions in Compulsive Exercising: The Construction and Evaluation of the Metacognitions About Exercise Questionnaire
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Fioravanti, Giulia, Scappini, Agathe, Piselli, Selene, Spada, Marcantonio M., and Casale, Silvia
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- 2023
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11. On the Parameterized Complexity of the $s$-Club Cluster Edge Deletion Problem
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Montecchiani, Fabrizio, Ortali, Giacomo, Piselli, Tommaso, and Tappini, Alessandra
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Computer Science - Data Structures and Algorithms ,Computer Science - Computational Complexity - Abstract
We study the parameterized complexity of the $s$-Club Cluster Edge Deletion problem: Given a graph $G$ and two integers $s \ge 2$ and $k \ge 1$, is it possible to remove at most $k$ edges from $G$ such that each connected component of the resulting graph has diameter at most $s$? This problem is known to be NP-hard already when $s = 2$. We prove that it admits a fixed-parameter tractable algorithm when parameterized by $s$ and the treewidth of the input graph.
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- 2022
12. Inclusion of pairing fluctuations in a semiclassical approach: the case of study of the Josephson effect
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Piselli, V., Pisani, L., and Strinati, G. Calvanese
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- 2024
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13. Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of modified vaccinia Ankara pre-exposure vaccination against mpox according to previous smallpox vaccine exposure and HIV infection: prospective cohort studyResearch in context
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Valentina Mazzotta, Alessandro Cozzi Lepri, Giulia Matusali, Eleonora Cimini, Pierluca Piselli, Camilla Aguglia, Simone Lanini, Francesca Colavita, Stefania Notari, Alessandra Oliva, Silvia Meschi, Rita Casetti, Vanessa Mondillo, Alessandra Vergori, Aurora Bettini, Germana Grassi, Carmela Pinnetti, Daniele Lapa, Eleonora Tartaglia, Paola Gallì, Annalisa Mondi, Giulia Montagnari, Roberta Gagliardini, Emanuele Nicastri, Miriam Lichtner, Loredana Sarmati, Enrica Tamburrini, Claudio Mastroianni, Christof Stingone, Andrea Siddu, Alessandra Barca, Carla Fontana, Chiara Agrati, Enrico Girardi, Francesco Vaia, Fabrizio Maggi, Andrea Antinori, Enza Anzalone, Marta Camici, Fabio Cannone, Priscilla Caputi, Claudia Cimaglia, Rita Corso, Flavia Cristofanelli, Stefania Cruciani, Nicola De Marco, Chiara De Ponte, Giulia Del Duca, Paolo Faccendini, Francesca Faraglia, Augusto Faticoni, Marisa Fusto, Saba Gebremeskel, Maria Letizia Giancola, Giuseppina Giannico, Simona Gili, Maria Rosaria Iannella, Angela Junea, Alessandra Lamonaca, Alessandra Marani, Erminia Masone, Ilaria Mastrorosa, Stefania Mazzotta, Alessandra Nappo, Giorgia Natalini, Alfredo Parisi, Sara Passacantilli, Jessica Paulicelli, Maria Maddalena Plazzi, Adriano Possi, Gianni Preziosi, Silvia Rosati, Marika Rubino, Pietro Scanzano, Laura Scorzolini, Virginia Tomassi, Maurizio Vescovo, Serena Vita, Luciano Caterini, Luigi Coppola, Dimitra Kontogiannis, Gabriella D'Ettorre, Marco Ridolfi, Simona Di Giambenedetto, Damiano Farinacci, Alessandra Latini, Mauro Marchili, and Raffaella Marocco
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mpox ,MVA-BN immunogenicity ,Reactogenicity ,Cellular response ,Humoral response ,HIV ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Summary: Background: Pre-exposure vaccination with MVA-BN has been widely used against mpox to contain the 2022 outbreak. Many countries have defined prioritized strategies, administering a single dose to those historically vaccinated for smallpox, to achieve quickly adequate coverage in front of low supplies. Using epidemiological models, real-life effectiveness was estimated at approximately 36%–86%, but no clinical trials were performed. Few data on MVA-BN immunogenicity are currently available, and there are no established correlates of protection. Immunological response in PLWH in the context of the 2022 outbreak was also poorly described. Methods: Blood samples were collected from participants eligible for pre-exposure MVA-BN vaccination before (T1) receiving a full course of vaccine (single-dose for vaccine-experienced or smallpox-primed and two-dose for smallpox vaccine-naïve or smallpox non-primed) and one month after the last dose (T2 and T3, respectively). MPXV-specific IgGs were measured by in-house immunofluorescence assay, using 1:20 as screening dilution, MPXV-specific nAbs by 50% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50, starting dilution 1:10), and IFN-γ-producing specific T cells to MVA-BN vaccine, by ELISpot assay. Paired or unpaired t-test and Wilcoxon or Mann–Whitney test were used to analyse IgG and nAbs, and T-cell response, as appropriate. The probability of IgG and nAb response in vaccine-experienced vs. vaccine-naïve was estimated in participants not reactive at T1. The McNemar test was used to evaluate vaccination's effect on humoral response both overall and by smallpox vaccination history. In participants who were not reactive at T1, the proportion of becoming responders one month after full-cycle completion by exposure groups was compared by logistic regression and then analysed by HIV status strata (interaction test). The response was also examined in continuous, and the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) of the difference from baseline to schedule completion according to previous smallpox vaccination was estimated after weighting for HIV using a linear regression model. Self-reports of adverse effects following immunization (AEFIs) were prospectively collected after the first MVA-BN dose (T1). Systemic (S-AEFIs: fatigue, myalgia, headache, GI effects, chills) and local (L-AEFIs: redness, swelling, pain) AEFIs were graded as absent (grade 0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3). The maximum level of severity for S-AEFIs and L-AEFIs ever experienced over the 30 days post-dose by vaccination exposure groups were analysed using a univariable multinomial logistic regression model and after adjusting for HIV status; for each of the symptoms, we also compared the mean duration by exposure group using an unpaired t-test. Findings: Among the 164 participants included, 90 (54.8%) were smallpox vaccine-experienced. Median age was 49 years (IQR 41–55). Among the 76 (46%) PLWH, 76% had a CD4 count >500 cells/μL. There was evidence that both the IgG and nAbs titers increased after administration of the MVA-BN vaccine. However, there was no evidence for a difference in the potential mean change in humoral response from baseline to the completion of a full cycle when comparing primed vs. non-primed participants. Similarly, there was no evidence for a difference in the seroconversion rate after full cycle vaccination in the subset of participants not reactive for nAbs at T1 (p = 1.00 by Fisher's exact test). In this same analysis and for the nAbs outcome, there was some evidence of negative effect modification by HIV (interaction p-value = 0.17) as primed people living with HIV (PLWH) showed a lower probability of seroconversion vs. non-primed, and the opposite was seen in PLWoH. When evaluating the response in continuous, we observed an increase in T-cell response after MVA-BN vaccination in both primed and non-primed. There was evidence for a larger increase when using the 2-dose vs. one-dose strategy with a mean difference of −2.01 log2 (p ≤ 0.0001), after controlling for HIV. No evidence for a difference in the risk of developing any AEFIs of any grade were observed by exposure group, except for the lower risk of grade 2 (moderate) fatigue, induration and local pain which was lower in primed vs. non-primed [OR 0.26 (0.08–0.92), p = 0.037; OR 0.30 (0.10–0.88), p = 0.029 and OR 0.19 (0.05–0.73), p = 0.015, respectively]. No evidence for a difference in symptom duration was also detected between the groups. Interpretation: The evaluation of the humoral and cellular response one month after the completion of the vaccination cycle suggested that MVA-BN is immunogenic and that the administration of a two-dose schedule is preferable regardless of the previous smallpox vaccination history, especially in PLWH, to maximize nAbs response. MVA-BN was safe as well tolerated, with grade 2 reactogenicity higher after the first administration in vaccine-naïve than in vaccine-experienced individuals, but with no evidence for a difference in the duration of these adverse effects. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term duration of immunity and to establish specific correlates of protection. Funding: The study was supported by the National Institute for Infectious Disease Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS “Advanced grant 5 × 1000, 2021” and by the Italian Ministry of Health “Ricerca Corrente Linea 2”.
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- 2024
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14. A Global Building Occupant Behavior Database
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Dong, Bing, Liu, Yapan, Mu, Wei, Jiang, Zixin, Pandey, Pratik, Hong, Tianzhen, Olesen, Bjarne, Lawrence, Thomas, O’Neil, Zheng, Andrews, Clinton, Azar, Elie, Bandurski, Karol, Bardhan, Ronita, Bavaresco, Mateus, Berger, Christiane, Burry, Jane, Carlucci, Salvatore, Chvatal, Karin, De Simone, Marilena, Erba, Silvia, Gao, Nan, Graham, Lindsay T, Grassi, Camila, Jain, Rishee, Kumar, Sanjay, Kjærgaard, Mikkel, Korsavi, Sepideh, Langevin, Jared, Li, Zhengrong, Lipczynska, Aleksandra, Mahdavi, Ardeshir, Malik, Jeetika, Marschall, Max, Nagy, Zoltan, Neves, Leticia, O’Brien, William, Pan, Song, Park, June Young, Pigliautile, Ilaria, Piselli, Cristina, Pisello, Anna Laura, Rafsanjani, Hamed Nabizadeh, Rupp, Ricardo Forgiarini, Salim, Flora, Schiavon, Stefano, Schwee, Jens, Sonta, Andrew, Touchie, Marianne, Wagner, Andreas, Walsh, Sinead, Wang, Zhe, Webber, David M, Yan, Da, Zangheri, Paolo, Zhang, Jingsi, Zhou, Xiang, and Zhou, Xin
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Built Environment and Design ,Information and Computing Sciences ,Architecture ,Building - Abstract
This paper introduces a database of 34 field-measured building occupant behavior datasets collected from 15 countries and 39 institutions across 10 climatic zones covering various building types in both commercial and residential sectors. This is a comprehensive global database about building occupant behavior. The database includes occupancy patterns (i.e., presence and people count) and occupant behaviors (i.e., interactions with devices, equipment, and technical systems in buildings). Brick schema models were developed to represent sensor and room metadata information. The database is publicly available, and a website was created for the public to access, query, and download specific datasets or the whole database interactively. The database can help to advance the knowledge and understanding of realistic occupancy patterns and human-building interactions with building systems (e.g., light switching, set-point changes on thermostats, fans on/off, etc.) and envelopes (e.g., window opening/closing). With these more realistic inputs of occupants' schedules and their interactions with buildings and systems, building designers, energy modelers, and consultants can improve the accuracy of building energy simulation and building load forecasting.
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- 2022
15. Josephson effect at finite temperature along the BCS-BEC crossover
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Piselli, Verdiana, Simonucci, Stefano, and Strinati, Giancarlo Calvanese
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Condensed Matter - Superconductivity - Abstract
The Josephson current-phase characteristics, that arise when a supercurrent flows across two fermionic superfluids separated by a potential barrier, can be controlled by varying either the inter-particle coupling or the temperature. While the coupling dependence has been addressed in detail both theoretically and experimentally for an attractive Fermi gas undergoing the BCS-BEC crossover, a corresponding study of the temperature dependence of the Josephson characteristics is still lacking in this context. Here, we investigate the combined coupling and temperature dependence of the Josephson characteristics in a systematic way for a wide set of barriers, within ranges of height and width that can be experimentally explored. Our study smoothly connects the two limiting cases, of non-overlapping composite bosons at low temperature described by the Gross-Piatevskii equation, and of strongly overlapping Cooper pairs near the critical temperature described by the Ginzburg-Landau equation. In this way, we are able to explore several interesting effects related to how the current-phase characteristics evolve along the BCS-BEC crossover as a function of temperature and of barrier shape. These effects include the coherence length outside the barrier and the pair penetration length inside the barrier (which is related to the proximity effect), as well as the temperature evolution of the Landau criterion in the limit of a vanishingly small barrier. A comparison is also presented between the available experimental data for the critical current and our theoretical results over a wide range of couplings along the BCS-BEC crossover., Comment: 25 pages, 26 figures
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- 2020
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16. Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students (TAPES): Intervention Development and Proposed Randomized Controlled Trial
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Ginsburg, Golda S., Pella, Jeffrey E., Piselli, Kate, and Chan, Grace
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Background: Excessive student anxiety is a common problem that severely impairs short- and long-term academic functioning and increases teacher burden. Reducing student anxiety has been associated with improvement in educational functioning. Because anxiety manifests daily in the classroom, teachers are in an ideal position to identify and help students manage their anxiety. Unfortunately, teachers lack the knowledge and skills to support the learning of students with excessive anxiety. The Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students (TAPES), a novel teacher-administered school-home collaborative intervention, was designed to address this gap. Methods: This manuscript describes the protocol for developing and evaluating TAPES. Specifically, we present a description of: (1) the intervention and theoretical model; and (2) methods for the proposed randomized controlled trial comparing TAPES to a standard professional development seminar focused on reducing student anxiety. Discussion: Primary aims examine the impact of the TAPES training on teacher knowledge and skill. Secondary aims examine the impact of TAPES on student outcomes. Exploratory aims will examine mediators based on our proposed theory of change. If effective, TAPES has the potential to directly benefit teachers (improving skills) and students (reducing anxiety and improving functioning).
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- 2019
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17. Pasta e Piselli.
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This simple pasta dish was inspired by a recipe from Deputy Art Director Laura Formisano's Grammy Dorothy. BOUILLON BASE, DITALINI PASTA & PARMESAN Cut rind off Parmesan wedge. Add 3 cups hot water, 1 Tbsp reduced-sodium chicken bouillon base (we used Better Than Bouillon), 2 cups ditalini pasta and Parmesan rind. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2023
18. Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students (TAPES): An Open Trial
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Piselli, Kate, Pella, Jeffrey E., Chan, Grace, and Ginsburg, Golda S.
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Problematic anxiety in students impairs academic functioning. Teachers are often the first among school personnel to interact with these students, but they rarely receive training in evidence-based anxiety reduction strategies. This study assessed the feasibility of a brief teacher-administered school-home intervention (TAPES; Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students) to reduce student anxiety symptoms. Eight elementary teachers completed a 1-day training and administered TAPES to 10 students with elevated symptoms of anxiety (M age: 8 years old; 50% female; 90% Caucasian). Feasibility of the intervention was assessed using several indicators, including training and intervention satisfaction as well as fidelity of implementation. Pre-post intervention student outcomes were collected from parents, students, and teachers. Results indicated that the majority of teachers were satisfied with the training and reported the intervention was feasible. Paired t-tests on pre-post outcome measures revealed significant reductions in student anxiety symptoms according to teachers and parents. Preliminary results suggest TAPES is feasible and helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms. Additional evaluation using a randomized controlled design is warranted.
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- 2022
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19. Predictors of Mortality and Orotracheal Intubation in Patients with Pulmonary Barotrauma Due to COVID-19: An Italian Multicenter Observational Study during Two Years of the Pandemic
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Nardi Tetaj, Gennaro De Pascale, Massimo Antonelli, Joel Vargas, Martina Savino, Francesco Pugliese, Francesco Alessandri, Giovanni Giordano, Pierfrancesco Tozzi, Monica Rocco, Anna Maria Biava, Luigi Maggi, Raffaella Pisapia, Francesco Maria Fusco, Giulia Valeria Stazi, Gabriele Garotto, Maria Cristina Marini, Pierluca Piselli, Alessia Beccacece, Andrea Mariano, Maria Letizia Giancola, Stefania Ianniello, Francesco Vaia, Enrico Girardi, Andrea Antinori, Maria Grazia Bocci, Luisa Marchioni, and Emanuele Nicastri
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pneumothorax ,pneumomediastinum ,COVID-19 ,Medicine - Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a significant and novel cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the incidence of cases involving pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. However, the risk factors associated with poor outcomes in these patients remain unclear. Methods: This observational study collected clinical and imaging data from COVID-19 patients with PTX and/or PNM across five tertiary hospitals in central Italy between 1 March 2020 and 1 March 2022. This study also calculated the incidence of PTX and PNM and utilized multivariable regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier curve analysis to identify predictor factors for 28-day mortality and 3-day orotracheal intubation after PTX/PNM. This study also considered the impact of the three main variants of concern (VoCs) (alfa, delta, and omicron) circulating during the study period. Results: During the study period, a total of 11,938 patients with COVID-19 were admitted. This study found several factors independently associated with a higher risk of death in COVID-19 patients within 28 days of pulmonary barotrauma. These factors included a SOFA score ≥ 4 (OR 3.22, p = 0.013), vasopressor/inotropic therapy (OR 11.8, p < 0.001), hypercapnia (OR 2.72, p = 0.021), PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 150 mmHg (OR 10.9, p < 0.001), and cardiovascular diseases (OR 7.9, p < 0.001). This study also found that a SOFA score ≥ 4 (OR 3.10, p = 0.015), PCO2 > 45 mmHg (OR 6.0, p = 0.003), and P/F ratio < 150 mmHg (OR 2.9, p < 0.042) were factors independently associated with a higher risk of orotracheal intubation (OTI) within 3 days from PTX/PNM in patients with non-invasive mechanical ventilation. SARS-CoV-2 VoCs were not associated with 28-day mortality or the risk of OTI. The estimated cumulative probability of OTI in patients after pneumothorax was 44.0% on the first day, 67.8% on the second day, and 68.9% on the third day, according to univariable survival analysis. In patients who had pneumomediastinum only, the estimated cumulative probability of OTI was 37.5%, 46.7%, and 57.7% on the first, second, and third days, respectively. The overall incidence of PTX/PNM among hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 1.42%, which increased up to 4.1% in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: This study suggests that a high SOFA score (≥4), the need for vasopressor/inotropic therapy, hypercapnia, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 150 mmHg in COVID-19 patients with pulmonary barotrauma are associated with higher rates of intubation, ICU admission, and mortality. Identifying these risk factors early on can help healthcare providers anticipate and manage these patients more effectively and provide timely interventions with appropriate intensive care, ultimately improving their outcomes.
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- 2024
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20. Integration of Hepatitis C and Addiction Treatment in People Who Inject Drugs: The San Patrignano HCV-Free and Drug-Free Experience
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Pierluca Piselli, Antonio Boschini, Romina Gianfreda, Alessandra Nappo, Claudia Cimaglia, Gianpaolo Scarfò, Camillo Smacchia, Raffaella Paoletti, Sarah Duehren, and Enrico Girardi
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HCV ,cascade of care ,therapeutic community ,intravenous drug use ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Injection drug use represents an important contributor to hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, hence therapeutic communities (TCs) are promising points of care for the identification and treatment of HCV-infected persons who inject drugs (PWIDs). We evaluated the effectiveness and efficacy of an HCV micro-elimination program targeting PWIDs in the context of a drug-free TC; we applied the cascade of care (CoC) evaluation by calculating frequencies of infection diagnosis, confirmation, treatment and achievement of a sustained virological response (SVR). We also evaluated the risk of reinfection of PWIDs achieving HCV eradication by collecting follow-up virologic information of previously recovered individuals and eventual relapse in drug use, assuming the latter as a potential source of reinfection. We considered 811 PWIDs (aged 18+ years) residing in San Patrignano TC at the beginning of the observation period (January 2018–March 2022) or admitted thereafter, assessing for HCV and HIV serology and viral load by standard laboratory procedures. Ongoing infections were treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA), according to the current national guidelines. Out of the 792 individuals tested on admission, 503 (63.5%) were found to be seropositive for antibodies against HCV. A total of 481 of these 503 individuals (95.6%) underwent HCV RNA testing. Out of the 331 participants positive for HCV RNA, 225 were ultimately prescribed a DAA treatment with a sustained viral response (SVR), which was achieved by 222 PWIDs (98.7%). Of the 222 PWIDs, 186 (83.8%) with SVR remained HCV-free on follow-up (with a median follow-up of 2.73 years after SVR ascertainment). The CoC model in our TC proved efficient in implementing HCV micro-elimination, as well as in preventing reinfection and promoting retention in the care of individuals, which aligns with the therapeutic goals of addiction treatment.
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- 2024
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21. Are Design Strategies for High-Performance Buildings Really Effective? Results from One Year of Monitoring of Indoor Microclimate and Envelope Performance of a Newly Built nZEB House in Central Italy
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Cristina Carletti, Cristina Piselli, and Fabio Sciurpi
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nearly Zero-Energy Building ,nZEB ,continuous monitoring ,indoor microclimate ,building envelope performance ,Technology - Abstract
As buildings are one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, they have a key potential for energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality improvement. Therefore, the development of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) is strategic to respond to these challenges and to design and retrofit sustainable highly performing buildings. Actually, the nZEB target can also be reached with highly insulated wooden technologies. However, they must be critically revised and adapted when taking into account the warm climate peculiarities. The paper contributes to this attempt by dealing with the implementation of a methodology specifically focused on the long-term assessment of the real building envelope performance. The methodology is applied to a recently built wooden nZEB detached single-story dwelling constructed in 2017 in central Italy. One year monitoring data were collected about the envelope in-field dynamic performance and the indoor microclimate and well-being conditions. The theoretical design-stage data and the monitored data were compared. The positive aspects as well as the critical issues of nZEB target in the Mediterranean climate context and the performance gap were underlined. Accordingly, the main aspects to be considered in the design of nZEBs envelope were highlighted.
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- 2024
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22. Factor Analysis of a Modified Characteristic of Giftedness Scale
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Schmitt, Ara J., Piselli, Kate, Hoffman, Rachael L., and Schreiber, James B.
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"Gifted or talented" is a student exceptionality category that in many states requires a formal eligibility procedure to qualify for specialized school programming (Gallagher et al. 2014). Researchers agree that there is a historical overreliance on IQ in determining service eligibility; however, no brief parent rating scale appears in the empirical literature to support the decision-making of school evaluation teams. Items of the "Characteristics of Giftedness Scale" (Silverman 1993) were selected and expanded upon to create a brief 20-item instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that the modified scale was best characterized as having a two-factor structure. Furthermore, group differences were found between students eligible for gifted school programming and those without gifted status at school. Taken together, present findings suggest that this modified scale may be a suitable evaluation tool for school-based use.
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- 2021
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23. The possible effect of sociobehavioral factors and public health actions on the mpox epidemic slowdown
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Francesco Vairo, Sara Leone, Valentina Mazzotta, Pierluca Piselli, Gabriella De Carli, Simone Lanini, Fabrizio Maggi, Emanuele Nicastri, Roberta Gagliardini, Serena Vita, Andrea Siddu, Giovanni Rezza, Alessandra Barca, Francesco Vaia, Andrea Antinori, and Enrico Girardi
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mpox ,Vaccination ,Public health ,Epidemic ,Outbreak ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Objectives: A pre-exposure vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of the mpox virus was initiated in Italy in August 2022. We explore the possible factors affecting the trend of mpox cases in an Italian region (Lazio) with a rapid roll-out of the vaccination campaign. Methods: We estimated the impact of the communication and vaccination campaign by fitting a Poisson segmented regression model. Results By September 30, 2692, high-risk men who have sex with men had received at least one dose of vaccine, with a vaccination coverage of 37%. The analysis of surveillance data showed a significant decreasing trend in the number of mpox cases starting from the second week after vaccination (incidence rate ratio 0.452 [0.331-0.618]). Conclusion: The reported trend in mpox cases is likely to result from a combination of multiple social and public health factors combined with a vaccination campaign.
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- 2023
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24. A review of select human-building interfaces and their relationship to human behavior, energy use and occupant comfort
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Day, Julia K, McIlvennie, Claire, Brackley, Connor, Tarantini, Mariantonietta, Piselli, Cristina, Hahn, Jakob, O'Brien, William, Rajus, Vinu Subashini, De Simone, Marilena, Kjærgaard, Mikkel Baun, Pritoni, Marco, Schlüter, Arno, Peng, Yuzhen, Schweiker, Marcel, Fajilla, Gianmarco, Becchio, Cristina, Fabi, Valentina, Spigliantini, Giorgia, Derbas, Ghadeer, and Pisello, Anna Laura
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Built Environment and Design ,Architecture ,Affordable and Clean Energy ,Environmental Science and Management ,Building ,Building & Construction ,Built environment and design ,Engineering - Abstract
In recent years, research has emerged to quantitatively and qualitatively understand occupants' interactions with buildings. However, there has been surprisingly little research on building interfaces and how their design, context (e.g., location), and underlying logic impact their usability and occupants’ perceived control, as well as the resulting comfort and energy performance. Research is needed to better understand how occupants interact with building interfaces in both commercial and residential applications; both applications are important to address as there are many differences in interface types, level of control and understanding, and even expectations of engagement. This paper provides a cursory review and discussion of select common building interfaces: windows, window shades/blinds, thermostats, and lighting controls. The goal of this paper is to review literature related to these human-building interfaces to explore interface characteristics, current design and use challenges, and relationships between building interfaces and occupants. Human-building interface interactions are complex, more research is needed to understand design, use, and characteristics. Common themes emerged throughout the literature review to explain occupant interactions (or lack of interactions) with building interfaces, which included thermal and visual comfort, ease and access of control, interface/control placement, poor interface/control design, lack of understanding, and social-behavioral dynamics.
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- 2020
25. A review of select human-building interfaces and their relationship to human behavior, energy use and occupant comfort
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Day, JK, McIlvennie, C, Brackley, C, Tarantini, M, Piselli, C, Hahn, J, O'Brien, W, Rajus, VS, De Simone, M, Kjærgaard, MB, Pritoni, M, Schlüter, A, Peng, Y, Schweiker, M, Fajilla, G, Becchio, C, Fabi, V, Spigliantini, G, Derbas, G, and Pisello, AL
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Environmental Science and Management ,Architecture ,Building ,Building & Construction - Abstract
In recent years, research has emerged to quantitatively and qualitatively understand occupants' interactions with buildings. However, there has been surprisingly little research on building interfaces and how their design, context (e.g., location), and underlying logic impact their usability and occupants’ perceived control, as well as the resulting comfort and energy performance. Research is needed to better understand how occupants interact with building interfaces in both commercial and residential applications; both applications are important to address as there are many differences in interface types, level of control and understanding, and even expectations of engagement. This paper provides a cursory review and discussion of select common building interfaces: windows, window shades/blinds, thermostats, and lighting controls. The goal of this paper is to review literature related to these human-building interfaces to explore interface characteristics, current design and use challenges, and relationships between building interfaces and occupants. Human-building interface interactions are complex, more research is needed to understand design, use, and characteristics. Common themes emerged throughout the literature review to explain occupant interactions (or lack of interactions) with building interfaces, which included thermal and visual comfort, ease and access of control, interface/control placement, poor interface/control design, lack of understanding, and social-behavioral dynamics.
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- 2020
26. From social science surveys to building energy modeling: Investigating user-building interaction for low-carbon heating solutions in Europe
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C. Piselli, A.L. Pisello, and B.K. Sovacool
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Occupant Behavior ,Low-carbon heating ,User-building interaction models ,Social acceptance ,Dynamic simulation modeling ,Energy efficiency ,Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering ,TK1-9971 - Abstract
An extensive, representative, and, multi-country tailored survey questionnaire eliciting social practices with heat as an energy service and the relative perceptions about heating devices was submitted to a randomized sample of more than 6,000 potential end-users in Europe within the framework of the Horizon 2020 project SWS-HEATING. The project is developing an innovative seasonal thermal energy storage unit for residential use. Moreover, within the project, the role of occupancy variability and use conditions in the performance of the proposed system is assessed. The present study focuses on tailor-made user-building interaction models to be implemented into dynamic simulation for the assessment of the proposed and similar systems starting from the sociological assessment of such large-scale survey results. These models take advantage from the knowledge raised by the findings of the social survey to frame for the first time occupants’ behavior scenarios representative of South, central, and North European countries. In this way, the influence of cultural context and demographic factors and their relation to heating practices are considered when developing these tailored occupant behavior models. Results show the non-negligible influence (up to 43% in the coldest climate) of implementing these models on predicted building heating energy needs, as quantitative demonstration of the role of societal-related variables on final energy use estimation.
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- 2022
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27. Cell wall channels of Rhodococcus species: identification and characterization of the cell wall channels of Rhodococcus corynebacteroides and Rhodococcus ruber
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Piselli, Claudio, Benier, Lorraine, Koy, Cornelia, Glocker, Michael O., and Benz, Roland
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- 2022
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28. Risk Awareness as a Key Determinant of Early Vaccine Uptake in the Mpox Vaccination Campaign in an Italian Region: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
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Giulia Del Duca, Alessandro Tavelli, Ilaria Mastrorosa, Camilla Aguglia, Simone Lanini, Anna Clelia Brita, Roberta Gagliardini, Serena Vita, Alessandra Vergori, Jessica Paulicelli, Giorgia Natalini, Angela D’Urso, Pierluca Piselli, Paola Gallì, Vanessa Mondillo, Claudio Mastroianni, Enrica Tamburrini, Loredana Sarmati, Christof Stingone, Miriam Lichtner, Emanuele Nicastri, Massimo Farinella, Filippo Leserri, Andrea Siddu, Fabrizio Maggi, Antonella d’Arminio Monforte, Francesco Vairo, Alessandra Barca, Francesco Vaia, Enrico Girardi, Valentina Mazzotta, and Andrea Antinori
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mpox infection ,mpox vaccination ,risk awareness ,vaccine acceptance ,vaccine hesitancy ,health-related quality of life ,Medicine - Abstract
Background: we aim to investigate attitudes toward vaccination by analyzing empirical factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the Lazio region mpox vaccination (MpoxVax) campaign in Italy. Methods: all subjects who accessed MpoxVax and signed the informed consent were prospectively enrolled in the MPOX-VAC Study and were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Two endpoints were selected: ‘delayed acceptance’ and ‘early acceptance’, defined as access for vaccination >60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period, 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) > 60 [1588 (92.5%) ≤ 60] and 676 (60%) ≤ 30 days from VCS. A bisexual orientation, a lower education level and a worse perceived physical and mental health were associated with delayed access to vaccination. Being pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users and, marginally, HIV positive; having a high perceived risk for mpox infection; and reporting high-risk behaviors like the use of recreational drugs/chems, sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and having a higher number of principal sexual partners, were associated with early access to vaccination. Conclusions: according to our data, risk awareness was a major determinant of early MpoxVax acceptance. Conversely, worse perceived health status and a low educational level were critical factors associated with delayed vaccination.
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- 2023
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29. Optimizing the proximity effect along the BCS-BEC crossover
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Piselli, V., Simonucci, S., and Strinati, G. Calvanese
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Condensed Matter - Superconductivity - Abstract
The proximity effect, which arises at the interface between two fermionic superfluids with different critical temperatures, is examined with a non-local (integral) equation whose kernel contains information about the size of Cooper pairs that leak across the interface. This integral approach avoids reference to the boundary conditions at the interface that would be required with a differential approach. The temperature dependence of the pair penetration depth on the normal side of the interface is determined over a wide temperature range, also varying the inter-particle coupling along the BCS-BEC crossover independently on both sides of the interface. Conditions are found for which the proximity effect is optimized in terms of the extension of the pair penetration depth.
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- 2018
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30. A Global Building Occupant Behavior Database
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Bing Dong, Yapan Liu, Wei Mu, Zixin Jiang, Pratik Pandey, Tianzhen Hong, Bjarne Olesen, Thomas Lawrence, Zheng O’Neil, Clinton Andrews, Elie Azar, Karol Bandurski, Ronita Bardhan, Mateus Bavaresco, Christiane Berger, Jane Burry, Salvatore Carlucci, Karin Chvatal, Marilena De Simone, Silvia Erba, Nan Gao, Lindsay T. Graham, Camila Grassi, Rishee Jain, Sanjay Kumar, Mikkel Kjærgaard, Sepideh Korsavi, Jared Langevin, Zhengrong Li, Aleksandra Lipczynska, Ardeshir Mahdavi, Jeetika Malik, Max Marschall, Zoltan Nagy, Leticia Neves, William O’Brien, Song Pan, June Young Park, Ilaria Pigliautile, Cristina Piselli, Anna Laura Pisello, Hamed Nabizadeh Rafsanjani, Ricardo Forgiarini Rupp, Flora Salim, Stefano Schiavon, Jens Schwee, Andrew Sonta, Marianne Touchie, Andreas Wagner, Sinead Walsh, Zhe Wang, David M. Webber, Da Yan, Paolo Zangheri, Jingsi Zhang, Xiang Zhou, and Xin Zhou
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Science - Abstract
Measurement(s) room temperature ambient air • room relative humidity • outdoor weather • window status • door status • fan status • HVAC measurement • lighting status • occupancy measurement • plug load • shade status Technology Type(s) Temperature Sensor Device • relative humidity sensor • weather station • window status sensor • door status sensor • fan status sensor • HVAC measurement sensors • lighting sensor • occupancy sensor • power sensor • shade status sensor
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- 2022
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31. Cancer mortality after kidney transplantation: A multicenter cohort study in Italy.
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Taborelli M, Serraino D, Cimaglia C, Furian L, Biancone L, Busnach G, Bossini N, Citterio F, Veroux M, Iaria M, Argiolas D, Todeschini P, Manzia TM, Pisani F, Cantaluppi V, Simone S, Mangino M, Campise M, Ambrosini A, Caputo F, and Piselli P
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- Humans, Cohort Studies, Cause of Death, Italy epidemiology, Kidney Transplantation adverse effects, Neoplasms, Lymphoma epidemiology, Kidney Neoplasms complications
- Abstract
Kidney transplant (KT) recipients are known to be at risk of developing several cancer types; however, cancer mortality in this population is underinvestigated. Our study aimed to assess the risk of cancer death among Italian KT recipients compared to the corresponding general population. A cohort study was conducted among 7373 individuals who underwent KT between 2003 and 2020 in 17 Italian centers. Date and cause of death were retrieved until 31 December 2020. Indirect standardization was used to estimate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Cancer was the most common cause of death among the 7373 KT recipients, constituting 32.4% of all deaths. A 1.8-fold excess mortality (95% CI: 1.59-2.09) was observed for all cancers combined. Lymphomas (SMR = 6.17, 95% CI: 3.81-9.25), kidney cancer (SMR = 5.44, 95% CI: 2.97-8.88) and skin melanoma (SMR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.03-6.98) showed the highest excess death risks. In addition, SMRs were increased about 1.6 to 3.0 times for cancers of lung, breast, bladder and other hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. As compared to the general population, relative cancer mortality risk remained significantly elevated in all age groups though it decreased with increasing age. A linear temporal increase in SMR over time was documented for all cancers combined (P < .01). Our study documented significantly higher risks of cancer death in KT recipients than in the corresponding general population. Such results support further investigation into the prevention and early detection of cancer in KT recipients., (© 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.)
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- 2024
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32. Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students (TAPES): An Open Trial
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Piselli, Kate, Pella, Jeffrey E., Chan, Grace, and Ginsburg, Golda S.
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- 2022
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33. Clostridium perfringens Beta2 toxin forms highly cation-selective channels in lipid bilayers
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Benz, Roland, Piselli, Claudio, Hoxha, Cezarela, Koy, Cornelia, Glocker, Michael O., and Popoff, Michel R.
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- 2022
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34. Time Series Anomaly Detection; Detection of anomalous drops with limited features and sparse examples in noisy highly periodic data
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Shipmon, Dominique T., Gurevitch, Jason M., Piselli, Paolo M., and Edwards, Stephen T.
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Statistics - Machine Learning ,Computer Science - Learning - Abstract
Google uses continuous streams of data from industry partners in order to deliver accurate results to users. Unexpected drops in traffic can be an indication of an underlying issue and may be an early warning that remedial action may be necessary. Detecting such drops is non-trivial because streams are variable and noisy, with roughly regular spikes (in many different shapes) in traffic data. We investigated the question of whether or not we can predict anomalies in these data streams. Our goal is to utilize Machine Learning and statistical approaches to classify anomalous drops in periodic, but noisy, traffic patterns. Since we do not have a large body of labeled examples to directly apply supervised learning for anomaly classification, we approached the problem in two parts. First we used TensorFlow to train our various models including DNNs, RNNs, and LSTMs to perform regression and predict the expected value in the time series. Secondly we created anomaly detection rules that compared the actual values to predicted values. Since the problem requires finding sustained anomalies, rather than just short delays or momentary inactivity in the data, our two detection methods focused on continuous sections of activity rather than just single points. We tried multiple combinations of our models and rules and found that using the intersection of our two anomaly detection methods proved to be an effective method of detecting anomalies on almost all of our models. In the process we also found that not all data fell within our experimental assumptions, as one data stream had no periodicity, and therefore no time based model could predict it.
- Published
- 2017
35. Factor Analysis of a Modified Characteristic of Giftedness Scale
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Schmitt, Ara J., Piselli, Kate, Hoffman, Rachael L., and Schreiber, James B.
- Published
- 2021
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36. Predicting respiratory failure in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 by admission sex-specific biomarkers
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Maria Teresa Pagano, Daniela Peruzzu, Luca Busani, Marina Pierdominici, Anna Ruggieri, Andrea Antinori, Gianpiero D’Offizi, Nicola Petrosillo, Fabrizio Palmieri, Pierluca Piselli, Stefania Cicalini, Stefania Notari, Emanuele Nicastri, Chiara Agrati, Giuseppe Ippolito, Francesco Vaia, Maria Cristina Gagliardi, Maria Rosaria Capobianchi, Elena Ortona, and INMI-ISS COVID-19 team
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Biomarkers ,Sex ,Gender ,COVID-19 ,Testosterone ,Estrogen ,Medicine ,Physiology ,QP1-981 - Abstract
Abstract Background Several biomarkers have been identified to predict the outcome of COVID-19 severity, but few data are available regarding sex differences in their predictive role. Aim of this study was to identify sex-specific biomarkers of severity and progression of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19. Methods Plasma levels of sex hormones (testosterone and 17β-estradiol), sex-hormone dependent circulating molecules (ACE2 and Angiotensin1-7) and other known biomarkers for COVID-19 severity were measured in male and female COVID-19 patients at admission to hospital. The association of plasma biomarker levels with ARDS severity at admission and with the occurrence of respiratory deterioration during hospitalization was analysed in aggregated and sex disaggregated form. Results Our data show that some biomarkers could be predictive both for males and female patients and others only for one sex. Angiotensin1-7 plasma levels and neutrophil count predicted the outcome of ARDS only in females, whereas testosterone plasma levels and lymphocytes counts only in males. Conclusions Sex is a biological variable affecting the choice of the correct biomarker that might predict worsening of COVID-19 to severe respiratory failure. The definition of sex specific biomarkers can be useful to alert patients to be safely discharged versus those who need respiratory monitoring.
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- 2021
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37. Examining shortened versions of the Social Responsiveness Scale for use in autism spectrum disorder prediction and as a quantitative trait measure: Results from a validation study of 3–5 year old children
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Kristen Lyall, Juliette Rando, Bridget Toroni, Tobechukwu Ezeh, John N. Constantino, Lisa A. Croen, Brigid Garvin, Kate Piselli, James Connell, Aaron J. Kaat, Craig J. Newschaffer, and program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes
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autism spectrum disorder ,quantitative traits ,Social Responsiveness Scale ,validation study ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Abstract Background The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) is a 65‐item measure yielding a continuous score capturing autism‐related traits. Scores based on SRS item subsets have been analytically examined but administration of shortened versions has not been evaluated prospectively. Objective The goal of this study was to compare psychometric properties of two shortened versions of the SRS to the full 65‐item SRS, in young children from both a clinical and general population setting. Methods Study participants (aged 3–5 years) were drawn from the AJ Drexel Autism Institute clinic (n = 154) and Kaiser Permanente Northern California (n = 201) and block randomized to receive either the 16‐item short SRS, a newly developed computer adaptive testing‐SRS, or the published full‐length SRS. Total scores across the three SRS administration methods were scaled to facilitate comparisons. Scores were plotted to assess distributional properties, while Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis was used to estimate Area Under the Curve (AUC) and address predictive ability. Results Overall, distributional properties of the three administration methods were highly comparable, with shortened measures demonstrating similar ability to capture the range of the distribution and case non‐case separation as the full SRS. In addition, AUC values were high (0.91–0.97) and comparable across the administration methods, though there was evidence of difference in predictive ability across measures for females (AUC for full SRS = 0.99 vs. 0.84 for short). Within individual comparisons of short versus full scores (available only for participants at the general population site) suggested underestimation of actual full SRS scores with the CAT‐SRS. Conclusions Our findings broadly support the construct validity and performance of shortened SRS versions examined here, though the full measure may be needed to more accurately assess traits consistent with ASD diagnosis in females. This work suggests opportunities for collection of ASD‐related phenotype in settings where participant burden or feasibility considerations may have otherwise prohibited such measurement.
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- 2022
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38. Gut microbiota composition in COVID-19 hospitalized patients with mild or severe symptoms
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Antonio Mazzarelli, Maria Letizia Giancola, Andrea Fontana, Pierluca Piselli, Elena Binda, Nadia Trivieri, Gandino Mencarelli, Luisa Marchioni, Antonella Vulcano, Chiara De Giuli, Concetta Panebianco, Annacandida Villani, Massimiliano Copetti, Francesco Perri, Carla Fontana, Emanuele Nicastri, and Valerio Pazienza
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microbiota (16S rRNA) ,COVID-19 ,biomarkers ,SARS-CoV-2 ,intensive and critical care ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Background and aimCOVID-19, the infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been causing a severe pandemic worldwide for more than 2 years, is characterized by a high heterogeneity of clinical presentations and evolution and, particularly, by a varying severity of respiratory involvement. This study aimed to analyze the diversity and taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota at hospital admission, in order to evaluate its association with COVID-19 outcome. In particular, the association between gut microbiota and a combination of several clinical covariates was analyzed in order to characterize the bacterial signature associate to mild or severe symptoms during the SARS-CoV-2 infection.Materials and methodsV3–V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 97 rectal swabs from a retrospective cohort of COVID-19 hospitalized patients was employed to study the gut microbiota composition. Patients were divided in two groups according to their outcome considering the respiratory supports they needed during hospital stay: (i) group “mild,” including 47 patients with a good prognosis and (ii) group “severe,” including 50 patients who experienced a more severe disease due to severe respiratory distress that required non-invasive or invasive ventilation. Identification of the clusters of bacterial population between patients with mild or severe outcome was assessed by PEnalized LOgistic Regression Analysis (PELORA).ResultsAlthough no changes for Chao1 and Shannon index were observed between the two groups a significant greater proportion of Campylobacterota and Actinobacteriota at phylum level was found in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed a more severe disease characterized by respiratory distress requiring invasive or non-invasive ventilation. Clusters have been identified with a useful early potential prognostic marker of the disease evolution.DiscussionMicroorganisms residing within the gut of the patients at hospital admission, were able to significantly discriminate the clinical evolution of COVID-19 patients, in particular who will develop mild or severe respiratory involvement. Our data show that patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 with mild or severe symptoms display different gut microbiota profiles which can be exploited as potential prognostic biomarkers paving also the way to new integrative therapeutic approaches.
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- 2022
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39. P714 Immunogenicity and safety of adjuvated recombinant zoster vaccine in IBD patients on different immunosuppressive therapies
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Franco, M, primary, De Bona, M, additional, Brun, P, additional, Bortoluzzi, M, additional, Nappo, A, additional, Zaetta, D, additional, Roncen, E, additional, Riguccio, G, additional, Boito, C, additional, Piselli, P, additional, Castagliuolo, I, additional, Savarino, E V, additional, and Buda, A, additional
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- 2024
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40. Hepatitis C virus infection and risk of liver-related and non-liver-related deaths: a population-based cohort study in Naples, southern Italy
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Pierluca Piselli, Diego Serraino, Mario Fusco, Enrico Girardi, Angelo Pirozzi, Federica Toffolutti, Claudia Cimaglia, Martina Taborelli, and on behalf of the Collaborating Study Group
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Hepatitis C virus ,Liver disease ,Mortality ,Cohort study ,Southern Italy ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a global health issue with severe implications on morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HCV infection on all-cause, liver-related, and non-liver-related mortality in a population living in an area with a high prevalence of HCV infection before the advent of Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) therapies, and to identify factors associated with cause-specific mortality among HCV-infected individuals. Methods We conducted a cohort study on 4492 individuals enrolled between 2003 and 2006 in a population-based seroprevalence survey on viral hepatitis infections in the province of Naples, southern Italy. Study participants provided serum for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and HCV RNA testing. Information on vital status to December 2017 and cause of death were retrieved through record-linkage with the mortality database. Hazard ratios (HRs) for cause-specific mortality and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Fine-Grey regression models. Results Out of 626 deceased people, 20 (3.2%) died from non-natural causes, 56 (8.9%) from liver-related conditions, 550 (87.9%) from non-liver-related causes. Anti-HCV positive people were at higher risk of death from all causes (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12–1.70) and liver-related causes (HR = 5.90, 95% CI: 3.00–11.59) than anti-HCV negative ones. Individuals with chronic HCV infection reported an elevated risk of death due to liver-related conditions (HR = 6.61, 95% CI: 3.29–13.27) and to any cause (HR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.18–1.94). The death risk of anti-HCV seropositive people with negative HCV RNA was similar to that of anti-HCV seronegative ones. Among anti-HCV positive people, liver-related mortality was associated with a high FIB-4 index score (HR = 39.96, 95% CI: 4.73–337.54). Conclusions These findings show the detrimental impact of HCV infection on all-cause mortality and, particularly, liver-related mortality. This effect emerged among individuals with chronic infection while those with cleared infection had the same risk of uninfected ones. These results underline the need to identify through screening all people with chronic HCV infection notably in areas with a high prevalence of HCV infection, and promptly provide them with DAAs treatment to achieve progressive HCV elimination and reduce HCV-related mortality.
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- 2021
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41. Viral particles imaging through evanescent wave scattering in a total internal reflection laser microscope
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Roberto Lo Savio, Sara Piselli, Cinzia Bertelli, Massimo Pizzato, and Adolfo Carloni
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Microscopy ,Scattering ,Nanoparticles ,Virus ,Biosensing ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 - Abstract
Optical imaging of objects at the nanometric scale is limited by light diffraction, and for this reason several sub-diffractive optical microscopy techniques have been developed in the last decades. In this article we present an optical laser microscope specifically designed for detection of nano-materials exploiting the Mie scattering between the evanescent wave generated by a laser beam travelling in a transparent substrate through total internal reflection and the nano-objects deposited on the substrate itself. The setup, including the laser source, can be fully integrated inside an optical microscope requiring only a geometric alignment with the substrate thus reducing the complexity and the cost. We also report two possible applications: quantitative detection of Au nanoparticles in the 20-100 nm size range and semi-quantitative detection of virions immobilized on the substrate through bioreceptor / antigen binding, including, but not limited to, SARS-CoV-2. A minimum virus amount of ≈105 in the reaction volume is observed. The results presented here open the route towards unprecedent applications in molecular biology or molecular diagnostics.
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- 2022
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42. Towards Achieving Zero Carbon Targets in Building Retrofits: A Multi-Parameter Building Information Modeling (BIM) Approach Applied to a Case Study of a Thermal Bath
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Simone Forastiere, Cristina Piselli, Benedetta Pioppi, Carla Balocco, Fabio Sciurpi, and Anna Laura Pisello
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energy efficiency ,Building Information Modeling ,Building Energy Modeling ,dynamic multi-parameter analysis ,energy retrofit ,thermal comfort ,Technology - Abstract
As the urgency to mitigate climate change intensifies, the achievement of zero carbon targets in the built environment has become a critical objective. Building retrofitting plays a vital role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in existing buildings. This paper presents an approach that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM) with multiple domains to strive for zero carbon targets in building retrofit projects. The proposed approach is based on a dynamic multi-parameter analysis that integrates indoor comfort, energy savings, CO2eq reduction, and the social cost of carbon while considering investment costs. Renewable energy technologies, such as photovoltaic panels and solar thermal systems, are emphasized to achieve the desired zero-carbon outcomes. Real-time monitoring mechanisms enable continuous performance evaluation and adaptive retrofit strategies for further energy savings. This approach is validated through a case study of an existing thermal bath building, known as “Terme Lucane”, located in southern Italy. The results of the study demonstrate significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions, highlighting the potential of the proposed approach to achieve zero carbon targets through the integration of multi-data BIM implementation. These findings offer a promising pathway for building retrofit projects aiming for zero carbon targets through multi-data BIM modeling.
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- 2023
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43. Risk and predictive factors of prolonged viral RNA shedding in upper respiratory specimens in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to an Italian reference hospital
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Annalisa Mondi, Patrizia Lorenzini, Concetta Castilletti, Roberta Gagliardini, Eleonora Lalle, Angela Corpolongo, Maria Beatrice Valli, Fabrizio Taglietti, Stefania Cicalini, Laura Loiacono, Francesco Di Gennaro, Gianpiero D’Offizi, Fabrizio Palmieri, Emanuele Nicastri, Chiara Agrati, Nicola Petrosillo, Giuseppe Ippolito, Francesco Vaia, Enrico Girardi, Maria Rosaria Capobianchi, Andrea Antinori, Sara Zito, Maria Alessandra Abbonizio, Amina Abdeddaim, Elisabetta Agostini, Fabrizio Albarello, Gioia Amadei, Alessandra Amendola, Maria Assunta Antonica, Mario Antonini, Tommaso Ascoli Bartoli, Francesco Baldini, Raffaella Barbaro, Barbara Bartolini, Rita Bellagamba, Martina Benigni, Nazario Bevilacqua, Gianluigi Biava, Michele Bibas, Licia Bordi, Veronica Bordoni, Evangelo Boumis, Marta Branca, Rosanna Buonomo, Donatella Busso, Marta Camici, Paolo Campioni, Flaminia Canichella, Alessandro Capone, Cinzia Caporale, Emanuela Caraffa, Ilaria Caravella, Fabrizio Carletti, Adriana Cataldo, Stefano Cerilli, Carlotta Cerva, Roberta Chiappini, Pierangelo Chinello, Maria Assunta Cianfarani, Carmine Ciaralli, Claudia Cimaglia, Nicola Cinicola, Veronica Ciotti, Francesca Colavita, Massimo Cristofaro, Salvatore Curiale, Alessandra D’Abramo, Cristina Dantimi, Alessia De Angelis, Giada De Angelis, Maria Grazia De Palo, Federico De Zottis, Virginia Di Bari, Rachele Di Lorenzo, Federica Di Stefano, Davide Donno, Francesca Evangelista, Francesca Faraglia, Anna Farina, Federica Ferraro, Lorena Fiorentini, Andrea Frustaci, Matteo Fusetti, Vincenzo Galati, Paola Gallì, Gabriele Garotto, Ilaria Gaviano, Saba Gebremeskel Tekle, Maria Letizia Giancola, Filippo Giansante, Emanuela Giombini, Guido Granata, Maria Cristina Greci, Elisabetta Grilli, Susanna Grisetti, Gina Gualano, Fabio Iacomi, Marta Iaconi, Giuseppina Iannicelli, Carlo Inversi, Maria Elena Lamanna, Simone Lanini, Daniele Lapa, Luciana Lepore, Raffaella Libertone, Raffaella Lionetti, Giuseppina Liuzzi, Andrea Lucia, Franco Lufrani, Manuela Macchione, Gaetano Maffongelli, Alessandra Marani, Luisa Marchioni, Andrea Mariano, Maria Cristina Marini, Micaela Maritti, Annelisa Mastrobattista, Ilaria Mastrorosa, Giulia Matusali, Valentina Mazzotta, Paola Mencarini, Silvia Meschi, Francesco Messina, Sibiana Micarelli, Giulia Mogavero, Marzia Montalbano, Chiara Montaldo, Silvia Mosti, Silvia Murachelli, Maria Musso, Michela Nardi, Assunta Navarra, Martina Nocioni, Pasquale Noto, Roberto Noto, Alessandra Oliva, Ilaria Onnis, Sandrine Ottou, Claudia Palazzolo, Emanuele Pallini, Giulio Palombi, Carlo Pareo, Virgilio Passeri, Federico Pelliccioni, Giovanna Penna, Antonella Petrecchia, Ada Petrone, Elisa Pianura, Carmela Pinnetti, Maria Pisciotta, Pierluca Piselli, Silvia Pittalis, Agostina Pontarelli, Costanza Proietti, Vincenzo Puro, Paolo Migliorisi Ramazzini, Alessia Rianda, Gabriele Rinonapoli, Silvia Rosati, Dorotea Rubino, Martina Rueca, Alberto Ruggeri, Alessandra Sacchi, Alessandro Sampaolesi, Francesco Sanasi, Carmen Santagata, Alessandra Scarabello, Silvana Scarcia, Vincenzo Schininà, Paola Scognamiglio, Laura Scorzolini, Giulia Stazi, Giacomo Strano, Chiara Taibi, Giorgia Taloni, Tetaj Nardi, Roberto Tonnarini, Simone Topino, Martina Tozzi, Francesco Vairo, Alessandra Vergori, Laura Vincenzi, Ubaldo Visco-Comandini, Serena Vita, Pietro Vittozzi, Mauro Zaccarelli, and Antonella Zanetti
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Coronavirus ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19, viral clearance, viral shedding ,Risk factors ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Background: Limited data are available about the predictors and outcomes associated with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding (VS). Methods: A retrospective study including COVID-19 patients admitted to an Italian hospital between March 1 and July 1, 2020. Predictors of viral clearance (VC) and prolonged VS from the upper respiratory tract were assessed by Poisson regression and logistic regression analyses. The causal relation between VS and clinical outcomes was evaluated through an inverse probability weighted Cox model. Results: The study included 536 subjects. The median duration of VS from symptoms onset was 18 days. The estimated 30-day probability of VC was 70.2%. Patients with comorbidities, lymphopenia at hospital admission, or moderate/severe respiratory disease had a lower chance of VC. The development of moderate/severe respiratory failure, delayed hospital admission after symptoms onset, baseline comorbidities, or D-dimer >1000 ng/mL at admission independently predicted prolonged VS. The achievement of VC doubled the chance of clinical recovery and reduced the probability of death/mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Respiratory disease severity, comorbidities, delayed hospital admission and inflammatory markers negatively predicted VC, which resulted to be associated with better clinical outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of prompt hospitalization of symptomatic patients, especially where signs of severity or comorbidities are present.
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- 2021
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44. A Regulatory Governance Perspective on IP and Access to Medicines – A Fresh Look Into the TRIPS Agreement
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Ghidini, Gustavo and Piselli, Riccardo
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As concerns the relationship between the Global South and the developed countries, the TRIPS Agreement provides a robust protection of IP. This might result in a weaker protection of fundamental rights, such as health, in those countries that do not possess the necessary know-how and industrial capacity to manufacture essential medicines. The recent Decision adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference provides the opportunity to focus again on the topic and deal with the issue of the clash between IP and the national interests of the least developed countries. Instead of addressing the problem by looking at the well-known flexibilities/inflexibilities of the Agreement, this paper proposes a different methodological approach that builds on the flourishing literature on regulatory governance. To this end, a multi-dimensional regulatory approach is suggested that simultaneously exploits a matrix of normative, market-based and cooperative instruments. While we wait for a more structural normative reform, a similar perspective not only proves to be useful from a theoretical perspective, but could also contribute to shedding a new light on the TRIPS Agreement.
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- 2024
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45. The global economic system and access and allocation in earth system governance
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Gonenc, Defne, Piselli, Dario, and Sun, Yixian
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- 2020
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46. Immune Activation, Exhaustion and Senescence Profiles as Possible Predictors of Cancer in Liver Transplanted Patients
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Maria Raffaella Petrara, Sarah Shalaby, Elena Ruffoni, Martina Taborelli, Francesco Carmona, Silvia Giunco, Paola Del Bianco, Pierluca Piselli, Diego Serraino, Umberto Cillo, Riccardo Dolcetti, Patrizia Burra, and Anita De Rossi
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immune activation ,immune senescence ,post-transplant malignancy ,hepatocellular carcinoma ,biological predictors ,Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,RC254-282 - Abstract
Liver transplanted (LT) patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (LT-HCC) or for other causes (LT-no-HCC) may develop post-transplantation malignancies. Although immune activation and senescence are frequently implicated in cancer development, no data is available on their possible role as biomarkers predictive of tumor onset in this setting. A total of 116 patients were investigated: the 45 LT-HCC patients were older than the 71 LT-non-HCC (p=0.011), but comparable for sex, HCV, HBV infection and immunosuppressive treatment. At baseline, the numbers of activated and senescent-like circulating cells were significantly higher in LT-HCC patients than in LT-no-HCC ones. After a median follow-up of 26.8 months, 6 post-transplant malignancies (PTM) occurred: 4 in LT-HCC (8.9%) and 2 in LT-no-HCC (2.8%) patients. Overall, subjects with high percentages of activated and exhausted T and B cells at baseline were at higher risk of PTM. Notably, within the LT-HCC group, a higher percentage of senescence-like T cells was also associated with cancer development. Moreover, patients with PTM had higher telomere erosion and higher levels of circulating PAMPs (16S rDNA) and DAMPs (mtDNA) when compared with matched patients without PTM. Overall, these findings suggest that immune activation and exhaustion may be useful to predict the risk of PTM occurrence, regardless of the cause of transplantation. In LT-HCC, T-cell senescence represents an additional risk factor for tumor onset.
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- 2022
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47. Emulation of a Target Trial From Observational Data to Compare Effectiveness of Casirivimab/Imdevimab and Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab for Early Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19
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Valentina Mazzotta, Alessandro Cozzi-Lepri, Francesca Colavita, Simone Lanini, Silvia Rosati, Eleonora Lalle, Ilaria Mastrorosa, Claudia Cimaglia, Alessandra Vergori, Nazario Bevilacqua, Daniele Lapa, Andrea Mariano, Aurora Bettini, Chiara Agrati, Pierluca Piselli, Enrico Girardi, Concetta Castilletti, Anna Rosa Garbuglia, Francesco Vaia, Emanuele Nicastri, and Andrea Antinori
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monoclonal antibodies ,SARS-COV-2 ,COVID-19 ,casirivimab/imdevimab ,bamlanivimab/etesevimab ,early treatment for COVID-19 ,Immunologic diseases. Allergy ,RC581-607 - Abstract
ObjectivesComparative analysis between different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 are lacking. We present an emulation trial from observational data to compare effectiveness of Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab (BAM/ETE) and Casirivimab/Imdevimab (CAS/IMD) in outpatients with early mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in a real-world scenario of variants of concern (VoCs) from Alpha to Delta.MethodsAllocation to treatment was subject to mAbs availability, and the measured factors were not used to determine which combination to use. Patients were followed through day 30. Viral load was measured by cycle threshold (CT) on D1 (baseline) and D7.Primary outcome was time to COVID-19-related hospitalization or death from any cause over days 0-30. Weighted pooled logistic regression and marginal structural Cox model by inverse probability weights were used to compare BAM/ETE vs. CAS/IMD. ANCOVA was used to compare mean D7 CT values by intervention. Models were adjusted for calendar month, MASS score and VoCs. We evaluated effect measure modification by VoCs, vaccination, D1 CT levels and enrolment period.ResultsCOVID19-related hospitalization or death from any cause occurred in 15 of 237 patients in the BAM/ETE group (6.3%) and in 4 of 196 patients in the CAS/IMD group (2.0%) (relative risk reduction [1 minus the relative risk] 72%; p=0.024). Subset analysis carried no evidence that the effect of the intervention was different across stratification factors. There was no evidence in viral load reduction from baseline through day 7 across the two groups (+0.17, 95% -1.41;+1.74, p=0.83). Among patients who experienced primary outcome, none showed a negative RT-PCR test in nasopharyngeal swab (p=0.009) and 82.4% showed still high viral load (p
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- 2022
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48. Search for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in platelets from COVID-19 patients
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Loredana Bury, Barbara Camilloni, Roberto Castronari, Elisa Piselli, Marco Malvestiti, Mariachiara Borghi, Haripriya KuchiBotla, Emanuela Falcinelli, Eleonora Petito, Felice Amato, Ugo Paliani, Gaetano Vaudo, Vittorio Cerotto, Fabio Gori, Cecilia Becattini, Edoardo De Robertis, Teseo Lazzarini, Giuseppe Castaldo, Antonella Mencacci, and Paolo Gresele
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covid-19 ,platelet rna ,sars-cov-2 ,viral infection ,Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs ,RC633-647.5 - Abstract
The frequent finding of thrombocytopenia in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and previous evidence that several viruses enter platelets suggest that SARS-CoV-2 might be internalized by platelets of COVID-19. Aim of our study was to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in platelets from hospitalized patients with aconfirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. RNA was extracted from platelets, leukocytes and serum from 24 COVID-19 patients and 3 healthy controls, real-time PCR and ddPCR for viral genes were carried out. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in any of the samples analyzed nor in healthy controls, by either RT-PCR or ddPCR, while RNA samples from nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients were correctly identified. Viral RNA was not detected independently of viral load, of positive nasopharyngeal swabs, or viremia, the last detected in only one patient (4.1%). SARS-CoV-2 entry in platelets is not acommon phenomenon in COVID-19 patients, differently from other viral infections.
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- 2021
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49. Variation in Post-Transplant Cancer Incidence among Italian Kidney Transplant Recipients over a 25-Year Period
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Pierluca Piselli, Diego Serraino, Claudia Cimaglia, Lucrezia Furian, Luigi Biancone, Ghil Busnach, Nicola Bossini, Paola Todeschini, Maurizio Iaria, Franco Citterio, Mariarosaria Campise, Massimiliano Veroux, Giuseppe Tisone, Vincenzo Cantaluppi, Margherita Mangino, Simona Simone, Davide Argiolas, Andrea Ambrosini, Francesco Pisani, Flavia Caputo, and Martina Taborelli
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kidney transplant ,immunosuppression ,virus-related malignancy ,trend ,Italy ,cohort study ,Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,RC254-282 - Abstract
This cohort study examined 25-year variations in cancer incidence among 11,418 Italian recipients of kidney transplantation (KT) from 17 Italian centers. Cancer incidence was examined over three periods (1997–2004; 2005–2012; and 2013–2021) by internal (Incidence rate ratio-IRR) and external (standardized incidence ratios-SIR) comparisons. Poisson regression was used to assess trends. Overall, 1646 post-transplant cancers were diagnosed, with incidence rates/1000 person-years ranging from 15.5 in 1997–2004 to 21.0 in 2013–2021. Adjusted IRRs showed a significant reduction in incidence rates across periods for all cancers combined after exclusion of nonmelanoma skin cancers (IRR = 0.90, 95% confidence interval-CI: 0.76–1.07 in 2005–2012; IRR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60–0.87 in 2013–2021 vs. 1997–2004; Ptrend < 0.01). In site-specific analyses, however, significant changes in incidence rates were observed only for Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS; IRR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.24–0.57 in 2005–2012; IRR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04–0.18 in 2013–2021; Ptrend < 0.01). As compared to the general population, the overall post-transplant cancer risk in KT recipients was elevated, with a decreasing magnitude over time (SIR = 2.54, 95% CI: 2.26–2.85 in 1997–2004; SIR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.83–2.16 in 2013–2021; Ptrend < 0.01). A decline in SIRs was observed specifically for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and KS, though only the KS trend retained statistical significance after adjustment. In conclusion, apart from KS, no changes in the incidence of other cancers over time were observed among Italian KT recipients.
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- 2023
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50. In vitro Evaluation of Antiviral Efficacy of a Standardized Hydroalcoholic Extract of Poplar Type Propolis Against SARS-CoV-2
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Giuseppe Sberna, Marco Biagi, Giovanni Marafini, Roberta Nardacci, Mirella Biava, Francesca Colavita, Pierluca Piselli, Elisabetta Miraldi, Gianpiero D’Offizi, Maria Rosaria Capobianchi, and Alessandra Amendola
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SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,propolis ,COVID-19 treatment ,pandemic (COVID-19) ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Except for specific vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, effective prophylactic or post-exposure therapeutic treatments are currently limited for COVID-19. Propolis, a honeybee’s product, has been suggested as a potential candidate for treatment of COVID-19 for its immunomodulatory properties and for its powerful activity against various types of viruses, including common coronaviruses. However, direct evidence regarding the antiviral activities of this product still remains poorly documented. VERO E6 and CALU3 cell lines were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and cultured in the presence of 12.5 or 25 μg/ml of a standardized Hydroalcoholic Extract acronym (sHEP) of Eurasian poplar type propolis and analyzed for viral RNA transcription, for cell damage by optical and electron microscopy, and for virus infectivity by viral titration at 2, 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection. The three main components of sHEP, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, galangin, and pinocembrin, were tested for the antiviral power, either alone or in combination. On both cell lines, sHEP showed significant effects mainly on CALU3 up to 48 h, i.e., some protection from cytopathic effects and consistent reduction of infected cell number, fewer viral particles inside cellular vesicles, reduction of viral titration in supernatants, dramatic drop of N gene negative sense RNA synthesis, and lower concentration of E gene RNA in cell extracts. Interestingly, pre-treatment of cells with sHEP before virus inoculation induced these same effects described previously and was not able to block virus entry. When used in combination, the three main constituents of sHEP showed antiviral activity at the same levels of sHEP. sHEP has a remarkable ability to hinder the replication of SARS-CoV-2, to limit new cycles of infection, and to protect host cells against the cytopathic effect, albeit with rather variable results. However, sHEP do not block the virus entry into the cells. The antiviral activity observed with the three main components of sHEP used in combination highlights that the mechanism underlying the antiviral activity of sHEP is probably the result of a synergistic effect. These data add further emphasis on the possible therapeutic role of this special honeybee’s product as an adjuvant to official treatments of COVID-19 patients for its direct antiviral activity.
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- 2022
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