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This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national surveillance of viral hepatitis in Italy. Interrupted time series analysis. Using an interrupted time series analysis with a customised AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average model on hepatitis cases reported to the Integrated Epidemiological System of Acute Viral Hepatitis from 2006 to 2022, we examined trends in incidence, time to diagnosis and time to epidemiological investigations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The quarterly incidence of hepatitis B (−0.251, P = 0.05) and hepatitis C (−0.243, P = 0.003) significantly decreased with the onset of the pandemic. Surveillance times for hepatitis B (5.496, P < 0.001) and hepatitis C (35.723, P < 0.001), measured as days lost per quarter, significantly increased 12 and 24 months after the pandemic's start. This aligns with a notable rise in quarterly incidence at 36 months for both (0.032, P = 0.030 for hepatitis B; 0.040, P < 0.001 for hepatitis C). The decrease in reported cases could be due to an increase in infection prevention control and containment measures put in place in a pandemic context. However, a delay in the initiation of epidemiological investigations was observed, which could lead to a further increase in incidence in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Magnetic measurement system able to estimate the position of an ECT probe. • Performance analysis of the proposed localization system. • Mutual influence of ECT and Localization systems. Abstract Localization of eddy current probes in Nondestructive Testing allows merging the defect detection with the information about defect positions. Typically, this task requires the usage of additional and costly position measurement systems or software assisted handlers in controlled laboratory conditions. However, many of these tests require free hand movements of the eddy current probes. In addition, in many industrial applications low cost is a stringent requirement. This paper proposes a novel solution to address the considered issues. In particular, the paper describes the usage of a magnetic 2D wireless localization method, able to track the probe position during the execution of Nondestructive Tests. To the best of our knowledge, such approach is novel and promises to provide localization information in Nondestructive Testing by means of low-cost hardware. Moreover, it is characterized by a light computational burden, since it reuses most of the equipment already needed for the test itself. Preliminary results, proving the suitability of a real time simultaneous testing and localization system, are reported in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : To investigate the association at baseline between plasma levels of selected vitamins and the presence and type of cataract in the participants in The Italian-American Trial of Nutritional Supplements and Age-related Cataract. Methods : At baseline, the participants (1020, 710 with “early cataract” and 310 with “no cataract,” 55–75 years of age) received an ocular examination, photographic lens grading, and measurement of plasma levels of vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, and of red blood cell glutathione reductase activity. Results : In multiple logistic models adjusted for potential confounders, high vitamin C levels were associated with a protective effect on nuclear (N) [OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.97] and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.93). High vitamin E levels were associated with increased prevalence of cortical cataract (C) (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.02–3.90), PSC (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.34, 7.96) and of any cataract (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.18). Conclusions : In agreement with some earlier studies, we found higher plasma levels of vitamin C to be associated with reduced prevalence of N and PSC cataracts. The finding of an increased prevalence of some types of cataract with higher levels of vitamin E was unexpected, has not been previously reported, and could be due to unadjusted confounding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Triaxial eddy current testing probe to improve the defect detection capability. • Crack detection sensitivity for any defect orientation. • TMR based triaxial magnetic sensor for ECT applications. • Experimental uncertainty model of TMR sensors to be implemented in simulations. The paper proposes the development, the analysis, and the experimental validation of a novel probe for Eddy Current (EC) Non-Destructive Testing especially thought to warrant good signal to noise ratios in the detection of thin defects when low excitation currents are adopted and whatever the orientation of the probe respect to the orientation of the defect. The probe is based on a simple double coil excitation, that generate a single direction EC flow, and adopts three magnetic sensors that form a triaxial magnetic sensor. Other main contributions of this paper are: i) performance analysis of an EC triaxial probe carried out in simulation environment that considers the measurement uncertainty of the magnetic sensors; ii) an experimental campaign that allow evaluating the performance of the realized probe; iii) a comparison between simulated and experimental results that prove the goodness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate a possible correlation between final visual acuity and the presence at baseline of various systemic and local (orbital/ocular) signs in patients affected by indirect traumatic optic neuropathy.Methods: 35 cases of traumatic optic neuropathy were examined retrospectively and 13 variables were tested. Univariate analysis with "no recovery of visual acuity" as the primary outcome was performed. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Fisher's exact test was used for two variables to test differences between proportions.Results: Four variables showed a significantly increased risk for no recovery of visual acuity: presence of blood within the posterior ethmoidal cells (RR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.25 to 4.04); age over 40 years (RR = 1.79, 1.07 to 2.99); loss of consciousness associated with traumatic optic neuropathy (RR = 2.21, 1.17 to 4.16); and absence of recovery after 48 hours of steroid treatment (p < 0.01, Fisher's exact test). Recovery documented at the first follow up visit after treatment was significantly associated with recovery at the last follow up visit (p < 0.01, Fisher's exact test).Conclusions: These four negative prognostic signs in patients affected by traumatic optic neuropathy may be useful in predicting the visual outcome in patients developing visual loss after head trauma and in deciding on the need for surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The modern instruments involved in the measurement on the telecommunication systems are generally based on suitable digital signal processing methods which provide the desired quantities by elaborating the acquired samples. To warrant suitable accuracy and repeatability as well as the alias-free sampling (Nyquist–Shannon theorem), the measurement instruments are usually forced to operate with high sampling frequencies, long observation periods and very fast measurement algorithms. However, if bandpass signals are involved, as it happens in modern telecommunication systems, the bandpass sampling theory could be employed to significantly reduce the sampling rate, without any replica overlapping. This opportunity is very attractive for both instrument designers and users, since it allows optimizing the hardware resources through a more efficient employment. The choice of the bandpass sampling rate is a not trivial task, and wrong values may cause aliasing phenomena and affect the accuracy of measurement results. In this paper, two original algorithms, particularly useful to both instrument designers and users, are proposed to automatically select the sampling rate when bandpass signals have to be measured. To assess and validate the efficiency and the suitability of bandpass sampling criteria proposed, a number of tests have been performed on emulated and real DVB-T signals. An analysis of the benefits, in terms of computational burden and memory requirement, provided by the bandpass sampling implementation on RF measurement station has been carried out with reference to both nonparametric and parametric kinds of power spectrum density (PSD) estimators. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this work is to describe an eddy current non-destructive testing system employing Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. GMR sensors are solid state devices capable of measuring the magnetic flux density. The use of GMR sensors in the framework of eddy current testing is motivated by their intrinsically high sensitivity, large bandwidth and low cost. This paper is specifically focused on the development of a GMR based probe integrated into an eddy current testing system for detecting the presence of millimeters size cracks in highly conductive materials such as Aluminum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of low-cost commercial graphene-based strips, made from a mixture of epoxy and graphene nanoplatelets. An equivalent homogenous resistivity model is derived from the joint use of experimental data and simulation results obtained by means of a full three-dimensional (3D) numerical electrothermal model. Three different types of macroscopic strips (with surface dimensions of cm2) are analyzed, differing in their percentage of graphene nanoplatelets. The experimental results show a linear trend of resistivity in a wide temperature range (−60°C to +60°C), and a negative temperature coefficient. The derived analytical model of temperature-dependent resistivity follows the simple law commonly adopted for conventional conducting materials, such us copper. The model is then validated by using the graphene strips as heating elements by exploiting the Joule effect. These results suggest that such materials can be used as thermistors in sensing or heating applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Short Range Magnetic Localization System. • Disturbance set-up following IEC/EN 61000-4-6. • Noisy Environment Localization System. • Disturbance detection and rejection method. • Magnetic measurements experimental campaign. Magnetic localization in 3D space is a challenging but promising task in those indoor applications where low costs and limited range are key requirements as in industrial and in some medical clinics' frameworks. In such cases, the localization system generally operates in disturbed environments where, in the worst case, continuous-wave disturbances could permanently affect the system performance. Therefore, the evaluation of its susceptibility to external disturbances is an issue to be assessed, before deploying the most suitable solution. Therefore, it is important to accomplish for two tasks: (i) to quantify the disturbance effect on the system performance and (ii) to propose robustness solutions to minimize the disturbance effect, thus allowing the system to behave as in regular mode. In this paper, concerning with continuous wave conducted disturbances, which act as the most impacting external disturbing sources, both the tasks are addressed by considering both analytical modeling and experimental validations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials are increasingly used for advanced applications subjected to high standards of quality that can be guaranteed by sophisticated control systems of the production process. Quality is usually controlled by monitoring temperature inside the laminate, but some researches have also evaluated the degree of cure during the thermal cycle. The goal of this work is to measure the local cure degree of thick laminates presenting a different trend as function of thickness; to achieve this aim, a suitable interdigital dielectric sensor was developed. Sensor development was carried out through FEM simulation, suited to evaluate the electric field inside the laminate: the depth of measurement of the sensor is due to its trend. The sensor was realized after having designed it and it was experimentally verified comparing the cure degree measured in a laminate polymerized in an oven with those recorded through a cure process simulation. A thick laminate was chosen because the cure degree trend is different as function of thickness and this condition is ideal to check if the sensor is able to perform local measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out a multicentre study on 2830 patients with chronic liver disease from 79 liver units (25 in northern, 24 in central and 30 in southern Italy) to evaluate naturally acquired immunity against hepatitis A virus (HAV) in relation to age, sex, geographical area of origin and entity of liver disease, and to define the strategy for specific vaccination. Antibody to HAV (anti-HAV) was detected in 1514 (53.5%) of the 2830 patients tested; the prevalence was 50.4% in males and 59.1% in females. Both in central and southern Italy the prevalence of anti-HAV positive subjects increased with increasing age from 43.3 and 44.7%, respectively, in the 0–30-year-old subjects to 80.1 and 68.3%, respectively, in those aged over 60 years. The overall prevalence was much lower in northern Italy, as were the variations from one age group to another, from 28.4% in the 0–30-year-old subjects to 38% in those aged over 60 years. 40.6% of patients with cirrhosis lacked naturally acquired protection against HAV; this percentage was higher in northern (60.5%) than in central (34.9%, P < 0.0001) and southern Italy (27.6%, P < 0.0001). The high prevalence of patients in Italy with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis who lack naturally acquired immunity to HAV warrants the implementation of vaccination programmes against hepatitis A in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in a high frequency of chronic disease. The aim of this study was to identify early prognostic markers of disease resolution by performing a comprehensive analysis of viral and host factors during the natural course of acute HCV infection. Methods: The clinical course of acute hepatitis C was determined in 34 consecutive patients. Epidemiological and virological parameters, as well as cell mediated immunity (CMI) and distribution of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) alleles were analysed. Results: Ten out of 34 patients experienced self-limiting infection, with most resolving patients showing fast kinetics of viral clearance: at least one negative HCV RNA test during this phase predicted a favourable outcome. Among other clinical epidemiological parameters measured, the self-limiting course was significantly associated with higher median peak bilirubin levels at the onset of disease, and with the female sex, but only the latter parameter was independently associated after multivariate analysis. No significant differences between self-limiting or chronic course were observed for the distribution of DRB1 and DQB1 alleles. HCV specific T cell response was more frequently detected during acute HCV infection, than in patients with chronic HCV disease. A significantly broader T cell response was found in patients with self-limiting infection than in those with chronic evolving acute hepatitis C. Conclusion: The results suggest that host related factors, in particular sex and CMI, play a crucial role in the spontaneous clearance of this virus. Most importantly, a negative HCV RNA test and broad CMI within the first month after onset of the symptoms represent very efficacious predictors of viral clearance and could thus be used as criteria in selecting candidates for early antiviral treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies of immigrants represent an useful tool to determine the relative relevance of environmental vs genetic factors in causing the reported rapid increase of the prevalence of sensitization and allergic diseases. Methods: A total of 152 Albanian migrants to Southern Italy responded to a questionnaire based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and 139 of them underwent skin prick test, and 61 serological assays for total IgE and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (TG), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Helicobacter pylori (HP). Results: Reported asthma was rare (2/152; 1.3%) and reported nasal allergies rather frequent (24/152; 15.8%). Sensitization to common inhalant allergens occurred in 27/139 (19.4%) subjects. The frequency of skin sensitization to pollen ( P = 0.003) and that of hay fever ( P = 0.004) increased with the time spent in Apulia. All the 61 sera had antibodies against HAV, 59/61 (96.7%) against HSV-1, 48/61 (78.7%) against HP and 34/61 (55.7%) against TG. The prevalence of skin sensitization and hay fever symptoms were correlated to the duration of residence in Southern Italy. Conclusions: Data presented indicate that Albanian migrants to Italy, in spite of the low prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in their country of origin, manifest with time an increasing prevalence of sensitization to local allergens and nasal symptoms after immigration to Italy. This would suggest a permanent role of allergen exposure and lifestyle factors in influencing the appearance of sensitization and symptoms of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]