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In this paper a general methodology is proposed for reducing computing times in procedures for solving road network design problems. Extensively studied in the literature, such problems concern the design of road networks, in terms of flow directions, capacity expansion and signal settings in urban contexts, and in terms of link addition and capacity expansion in rural contexts. The solution is almost always formulated as a bi-level model, where the upper level operates on the network design decision variables, while the lower level estimates the equilibrium traffic flows, which must be known in order to determine objective function values. Computing times required for calculating equilibrium traffic flows at each iteration of the network design procedure significantly affect the total solution time. Hence, any reduction in computing times of the lower level, which has to be implemented numerous times at any step of the upper-level algorithm, allows the global computing time to be considerably reduced. In this context, the methodology proposed herein seeks to reduce computing times of the traffic assignment problem and hence of the whole network design procedure, acting on the traffic flows adopted in the initialisation phase of the assignment algorithm. Obviously, this approach is feasible only if the topology of the network configuration remains unchanged and therefore only if the network design decision variables are limited to capacity expansion, in rural contexts, or signal settings and capacity expansion, in urban contexts. The proposed approach is tested on a real-scale case study: the rural road network of Vilnius County (Lithuania). Preliminary results underline the feasibility of the proposal and a significant reduction in computing times of up to 80% compared to traditional approaches.

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Evidence on the efficacy of phythotherapic remedies for the treatment of menopausal symptoms were reviewed. Evidence of the literature were graded and level of reccomandation defined. A strenght A recommendation was given for isaproponol extract of Cimicifuga recemosa (systematic review and metanalysis). Strength B recommendation, due to some inconsistent findings or lower quality studies, was given to the use of soy isoflavones, genistein above 30 mg/day, equol containing product and pollen extract. Strength C reccomendation for very weak evidence of efficacy was given to resveratrol, hops, dioscorea, enotera. No evidence of efficacy on vasomotor symptoms was found for Hyperycum perforatum, matcha, ginseng, that find no place in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms.

The Covid-19 pandemic hastened the use of technologies that replaced some urban activities, normally based on people interactions, thus significant changes occurred in mobility demand. Recently, also in Italy, for urban short-distance travels, “non-conventional” ways of moving spread, encouraged by governmental measures addressed to sustainable mobility, too. Defined as “urban micro-mobility” including e-scooters, these modalities of moving had a significant success, producing impacts on mobility and urban safety. This study focuses on the analysis of the spread of e-scooters use in Italy, relating both to the pandemic event and to the post-emergency phase. Specifically, this study is articulated into three parts: 1) the overview on urban micro-mobility particularly referred to the use of e-scooters in Italy; 2) the results of direct surveys (questionnaires) addressed to the undergraduate students, considered as a significant age range; 3) the effectiveness of these “alternative mobility” to improve urban sustainability.

The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has challenged companies, from both service and industry sectors, to reorganize how their business are operated in order to guarantee continuity to their operations while maintaining proper and safe conditions for workers and customers as well. In fact, a recognized preventive measure against the coronavirus spread, that has been adopted by many governments all over world, is to limit as much as possible and to make safer social interactions in the workplace. The effect of such measures is very impactful on those activities that require physical presence or a direct interaction with physical resources such as shop floors. For example, on an assembly line, it could be more difficult for operators to maintain appropriate distances if the new workplace and the new working conditions have been attentively conceived and deployed. This paper has the objective of showing how computer simulation can support companies in this complex task and, at the same time, of providing an operational tool and a case study application. Particularly, it uses a computer simulation tool (i.e., AnyLogic), to model and evaluate alternative design solutions with the aim of making the considered shop floor more resilient from the coronavirus spread perspective. We focused on the automotive sector and considered the case of a two-sided single model assembly line and the related surrounding areas. Various reconfigurations of the assembly line were considered with the aim of reducing contagion likelihood during production. In order to increase the distance between operators, we compared different solutions involving centralized and decentralized warehouses as well as collaborative robots (i.e., cobots). Each configuration was also tested with respect to the individual protection parameter, i.e., we explicitly considered the type of protection the operators use while performing their activities (no mask, surgical or FFP2 mask).

Background and objective: Consumer interests in probiotic foods have increased in recent decades. Food industries respond to these growing interests by developing innovative products and guaranteeing high production efficiency. Cereals, due to their prebiotic nature, are good fermentable substrates; from which, potentially functional foods could be achieved. The aim of this study was to verify effects of D-glucose addition on fermentation of rice, oat and wheat flours. Material and methods: Suspensions of 15% of cereals flours (rice, oat and wheat) in distilled water added with increasing glucose concentrations (2, 5, 7 and 10% w v-1) were fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 for 24 h. Then, pH, microbial growth and lactic acid production were assessed. Results and conclusion: Rice fermentation was not affected by glucose addition. For oat and wheat, addition of D-glucose increased bacterial concentration, as well as lactic acid production. In particular, the best growth was achieved by the addition of 2 and 5% of glucose. Furthermore, lactic acid concentration increased with increased glucose concentration. In conclusion, D-glucose addition seems to be unnecessary for the improvement of rice fermentation. On the contrary, oat and wheat fermentations need further available carbon sources for a better Lactobacillus growth and a higher lactic acid production. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The recent recognition that grade 3 (G3) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) can be divided into two different categories according to the histopathological differentiation, that is G3 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and G3 neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) has generated a lot of interest concerning not only the diagnosis, but also the differential management of such new group of NENs. However, several issues need to be fully clarified in order to put G3 NETs and G3 NECs in the right place. The aim of this review is to focus on those issues that are still undetermined starting from the current knowledge, evaluating the available evidence and the possible clinical implications.