Search

Introduction In recent years, a phenomenon known as "vaccine hesitancy" has spread throughout the world, even among health workers, determining a reduction in vaccination coverage (VC). A study aimed at evaluating VC among healthcare workers (HCWs) in 10 Italian cities (L'Aquila, Genoa, Milan, Palermo, Sassari, Catanzaro, Ferrara, Catania, Naples, Messina) was performed. Materials and methods Annex 3 of the Presidential Decree n. 445 of 28 December 2000 was used to collect information on the vaccination status of HCWs. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated with regard to the quantitative variable (age), while absolute and relative frequencies were obtained for categorical data (sex, professional profile, working sector, vaccination status). The connection between VC and the categorical variables was evaluated by chi-square method (statistical significance at p, Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 60, No 1 (2019): 2019601

An adequate immunization of the health care workers is essential for infection prevention and control, to avoid consequences not only for them, but for all patients that the health care workers could infect causing serious damage and / or death. Unfortunately, to date, despite the presence of international and national guidelines (Law Decree 119/2017), the vaccination coverage was low, also because of the "vaccine hesitancy" spread among the same health care workers. In light of the above, the aim of our study was to investigate the vaccination coverage of healthcare workers of all the operational units present in our hospital and to evaluate differences between sex, age, professional profile and area of work.A study was conducted from March to June 2018 to investigate the vaccination coverage of healthcare workers at the University hospital "G. Martino" of Messina; data were collected using a self-completion questionnaire based on Attachment 3 of Ministerial Circular 25233 of 18 August 2017. We verified any possible association between physicians and pediatricians and between age classes by the chi square method. Also, a logistic regression was used for each vaccination, considering the vaccination as the variable and the following covariates: type of operative unit, sex, age and area) in order to predict the probability of vaccination.We analyzed a sample of 822 health care workers (324 males and 498 females with an age of 49.5 ± 10.5 SD). The sample was made up of physicians (36%), nurses (21%) and other professional categories (43%). Analyzing the data we obtained vaccination coverages lower than the target required to guarantee "herd immunity"; higher vaccination coverages were found for females, physicians and the clinical area and - for influenza vaccination - in the older age groups and - for all the other vaccinations - in the younger groups.Data analysis revealed a lax attitude towards vaccinations by health care workers and the need for measures aimed at increasing vaccination their coverage to prevent them from becoming a source of dangerous outbreaks.

Objectives STIs are a serious public health problem. Worldwide, 500 million people a year acquire a STI, and young are the most affected. Methods This study was conducted administering an anonymous questionnaire to 1228 Sicilian students of high school and university. Results The students had variable understanding of STIs and their complications. The results demonstrate an extreme variability in the knowledge of STIs. Multiple linear regression showed that sexual health knowledge was associated with age and sexual orientation. Conclusions Our results show that knowledge of STIs is poor and inadequate. This finding can put students at risk of STIs., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 60, No 2 (2019): 2019602

The Erice Charter was unanimously approved at the conclusion of the 47th Residential Course "Adapted Physical Activity in Sport, Wellness and Fitness: New Challenges for Prevention and Health Promotion", held on 20-24 April 2015 in Erice, Italy, at the "Ettore Majorana" Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, and promoted by the International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine "G. D'Alessandro" and the Study Group on Movement Sciences for Health of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. After an intense discussion the participants identified the main points associated with the relevance of physical activity for Public Health, claiming the pivotal role of the Department of Prevention in coordinating and managing preventive actions. The participants underlined the importance of the physicians specialized in Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The contribution of other operators such as physicians specialized in Sport Medicine was stressed. Further, the holders of the new degree in Human Movement and Sport Sciences were considered fundamental contributors for the performance of physical activity and their presence was seen as a promising opportunity for the Departments of Prevention. Primary prevention based on recreational physical activities should become easily accessible for the population, avoiding obstacles such as certification steps or complex bureaucracy. The Sport Doctor is recognized as the principal referent for preliminary physical evaluation and clinical monitoring in secondary and tertiary prevention actions based on adapted physical activities. Developing research in the field is essential as well as implementing higher education on physical activity management in Schools of Public Health.

Large-scale compute clusters of heterogeneous nodes equipped with multi-core CPUs and GPUs are getting increasingly popular in the scientific community. However, such systems require a combination of different programming paradigms making application development very challenging. In this article we introduce libWater, a library-based extension of the OpenCL programming model that simplifies the development of heterogeneous distributed applications. libWater consists of a simple interface, which is a transparent abstraction of the underlying distributed architecture, offering advanced features such as inter-context and inter-node device synchronization. It provides a runtime system which tracks dependency information enforced by event synchronization to dynamically build a DAG of commands, on which we automatically apply two optimizations: collective communication pattern detection and device-host-device copy removal. We assess libWater’s performance in three compute clusters available from the Vienna Scientific Cluster, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the University of Innsbruck, demonstrating improved performance and scaling with different test applications and configurations., Highlights • libWater programming model, which extends OpenCL with a simplified interface. • A lightweight distributed runtime system based on asynchronous command execution. • A powerful representation that collects and arranges dependencies between commands. • Dynamic Collective Replacement and Device-Host-Device Copy Removal optimizations. • A study of the performance of the library on three compute clusters.

Agent-based simulations represent an effective scientific tool, with numerous applications from social sciences to biology, which aims to emulate or predict complex phenomena through a set of simple rules performed by multiple agents. To simulate a large number of agents with complex models, practitioners have developed high-performance parallel implementations, often specialized for particular scenarios and target hardware. It is, however, difficult to obtain portable simulations, which achieve high performance and at the same time are easy to write and to reproduce on different hardware. This article gives a complete presentation of OpenABL , a domain-specific language and a compiler for agent-based simulations that enable users to achieve high-performance parallel and distributed agent simulations with a simple and portable programming environment. OpenABL is comprised of (1) an easy-to-program language, which relies on domain abstractions and explicitly exposes agent parallelism, synchronization and locality, (2) a source-to-source compiler, and (3) a set of pluggable compiler backends, which generate target code for multi-core CPUs, GPUs, and cloud-based systems. We evaluate OpenABL on simulations from different fields. In particular, our analysis includes predator–prey and keratinocyte, two complex simulations with multiple step functions, heterogeneous agent types, and dynamic creation and removal of agents. The results show that OpenABL -generated codes are portable to different platforms, perform similarly to manual target-specific implementations, and require significantly fewer lines of codes.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) is one of the strategic priorities for research and innovation worldwide due to its relevance for industrial and scientific applications. We envision HPC as composed of three pillars: infrastructures, applications, and key technologies and tools. While infrastructures are by construction centralized in large-scale HPC centers, and applications are generally within the purview of domain-specific organizations, key technologies fall in an intermediate case where coordination is needed, but design and development are often decentralized. A large group of Italian researchers has started a dedicated laboratory within the National Interuniversity Consortium for Informatics (CINI) to address this challenge. The laboratory, albeit young, has managed to succeed in its first attempts to propose a coordinated approach to HPC research within the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, participating in the calls 2019 - 20 to five successful proposals for an aggregate total cost of 95M€. In this paper, we outline the working group's scope and goals and provide an overview of the five funded projects, which become fully operational in March 2021, and cover a selection of key technologies provided by the working group partners, highlighting their usage development within the projects.

The process of penicillin production is characterized by nonlinearities and parameter uncertainties that make it difficult to control. In the paper the development and testing of a multivariable fuzzy control system that makes use of type-2 fuzzy sets for the control of pH and temperature are described. The performance of the type-2 fuzzy logic control system (T2FLCS) is compared by simulation with that of a type-1 fuzzy logic control system (T1FLCS) and that of a control system with traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers proposed in the literature. The fuzzy controllers are optimized using an ANFIS algorithm. The best results are obtained with the T2FLCS particularly when uncertainties are present in the control system.

Two adaptive type-2 fuzzy logic controllers with minimum number of rules are developed and compared by simulation for control of a bioreactor in which aerobic alcoholic fermentation for the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae takes place. The bioreactor model is characterized by nonlinearity and parameter uncertainty. The first adaptive fuzzy controller is a type-2 fuzzy-neuro-predictive controller (T2FNPC) that combines the capability of type-2 fuzzy logic to handle uncertainties, with the ability of predictive control to predict future plant performance making use of a neural network model of the nonlinear system. The second adaptive fuzzy controller is instead a self-tuning type-2 PI controller, where the output scaling factor is adjusted online by fuzzy rules according to the current trend of the controlled process. The performance of a type-2 fuzzy logic controller with 49 rules is used as reference.

The Erice Charter was unanimously approved at the conclusion of the 47th Residential Course "Adapted Physical Activity in Sport, Wellness and Fitness: New Challenges for Prevention and Health Promotion", held on 20-24 April 2015 in Erice, Italy, at the "Ettore Majorana" Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, and promoted by the International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine "G. D'Alessandro" and the Study Group on Movement Sciences for Health of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. After an intense discussion the participants identified the main points associated with the relevance of physical activity for Public Health, claiming the pivotal role of the Department of Prevention in coordinating and managing preventive actions. The participants underlined the importance of the physicians specialized in Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The contribution of other operators such as physicians specialized in Sport Medicine was stressed. Further, the holders of the new degree in Human Movement and Sport Sciences were considered fundamental contributors for the performance of physical activity and their presence was seen as a promising opportunity for the Departments of Prevention. Primary prevention based on recreational physical activities should become easily accessible for the population, avoiding obstacles such as certification steps or complex bureaucracy. The Sport Doctor is recognized as the principal referent for preliminary physical evaluation and clinical monitoring in secondary and tertiary prevention actions based on adapted physical activities. Developing research in the field is essential as well as implementing higher education on physical activity management in Schools of Public Health.

The paper describes the structure and the characteristics of an expert system that allows the optimization of postprandial glycemia in type 1 diabetic patients. The expert system is able to provide patients with the number of rapid insulin units that must be taken in order to keep the blood glucose level close to the omeostatic condition in the hours following a meal.

The main objective of this study is to provide a valid and effective approach for the design and development of an adaptive type-2 fuzzy controller (AT2FLC), based on the analysis of the nonlinear process dynamics and the use of an ANFIS technique for the optimization of the controller. The performance of the obtained AT2FLC, characterized by a few number of rules, is higher than the performance of a traditional type-2 fuzzy controller with a larger rule base. The proposed controller is particurarly suitable for the control of processes characterized by uncertainty and time varying parameters.

A control system that uses type-2 fuzzy logic controllers (FLC) is proposed for the control of a non-isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), where a first order irreversible reaction occurs and that is characterized by the presence of bifurcations. Bifurcations due to parameter variations can bring the reactor to instability or create new working conditions which although stable are unacceptable. An extensive analysis of the uncontrolled CSTR dynamics was carried out and used for the choice of the control configuration and the development of controllers. In addition to a feedback controller, the introduction of a feedforward control loop was required to maintain effective control in the presence of disturbances. Simulation results confirmed the effectiveness and the robustness of the type-2 FLC which outperforms its type-1 counterpart particularly when system uncertainties are present.

The objective of this experimental study is to compare the performance of type-1 and type-2 fuzzy logic controllers on a real system where the control of liquid level and temperature are considered. By the use of genetic algorithms it is possible to optimize the fuzzy sets of each fuzzy controller assuring high control performance. The experimental results show that a better control in terms of robustness can be achieved by type-2 fuzzy logic controllers.

A fuzzy controller for the closed loop control, by insulin infusion of glycaemia in type 1 diabetic patients is proposed. The controller uses type-2 fuzzy sets. The controller was tested in simulation using a complex nonlinear model of the glucose metabolism. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness and the robustness of the type-2 fuzzy logic controller. The design of the controller uses an optimization method based on genetic algorithms. This makes the type-2 fuzzy controller more efficient and faster than a fuzzy controller with type-1 fuzzy sets, allowing a more accurate control of the glucose in the blood.

The aim of the paper is to present the application of type-2 fuzzy logic controllers (T2FLCs) to the control of a fed-batch fermentation reactor in which the penicillin production is carried out. The performance of the control system using T2FLCs is compared by simulation with that of a control system using type-1 fuzzy logic controllers (T1FLCs). The non linear model used for the simulation study is an unstructured model characterized by the presence of non linearities, parameter uncertainty and measurement noise. Simulation results confirm the robustness of the T2FLC which shows a better performance than its type-1 counterpart particularly when uncertainties are present in the control system.

The paper describes the development of two different type-2 adaptive fuzzy logic controllers and their use for the control of a non linear system that is characterized by the presence of bifurcations and parameter uncertainty. Although a type-2 fuzzy logic controller is able to handle the non linearities and the uncertainties present in a system, its robustness and effectiveness can be increased by the use of an opportune adaptive algorithm. A simulation study was conducted to compare the behavior of adaptive controllers with that of simple type-1 and type-2 fuzzy logic controllers. The system to be controlled, used for the simulation, is a continuous bioreactor for the treatment of mixed wastes in which a culture of Pseudomonas Putida is carried out while phenol and glucose are carbon and energy sources. From simulations results it can be seen that both adaptive controllers, but in particular the self tuning controller, have a better performance being able to eliminate oscillations that are present with basic fuzzy controllers.

A controller that combines the main characteristics and advantages of three different control methodologies is proposed for the control of systems with nonlinearities and uncertainties. A neural network predictive control approach is implemented modifying the output of a controller with a fuzzy logic structure that uses type-2 fuzzy sets. Neural networks are also used to optimize the membership function parameters. The proposed controller is tested by simulation for the control of a bioreactor characterized by bifurcation and parameter uncertainty.

Type-2 fuzzy logic control is proposed for nonlinear processes characterized by bifurcations. A control simulation study was conducted for a bioreactor with cell recycle containing phenol and glucose as carbon and energy sources in which a pure culture of Pseudomonas putida is carried out. The model developed by Ajbar [Ajbar, A. (2001). Stability analysis of the biodegradation of mixed wastes in a continuous bioreactor with cell recycle. Water Research, 35 (5), 1201–1208] was used for the simulations. The particular dynamics of the bioreactor, characterized by two saddle-node bifurcations, makes its control difficult, since it may become unstable also for small variations of some parameters. The design of the type-2 fuzzy logic controller, with Sugeno inference method, was based on the knowledge of the more relevant continuity diagrams of the process. The proposed controller was compared by simulation with a type-1 fuzzy logic controller and a PI controller. The simulation results show that the type-2 fuzzy logic controller has a higher performance, in terms of robustness and response speed, compared with the other controllers. It is proved that the use of type-2 fuzzy controllers can be a good choice for the control of nonlinear processes with bifurcations, in particular when uncertainties on some parameters of the controlled system are present.

The paper describes the application of a type-2 fuzzy logic controller (FLC) to a non-isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) characterized by the presence of saddle node and Hopf bifurcations. Its performance is compared with a type-1 fuzzy logic controller performance. A full analysis of the uncontrolled CSTR dynamic was carried out and used for the feedback-feedforward fuzzy controllers development. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness and the robustness of the type-2 FLCs which outperform their type-1 counterparts, particularly when uncertainties are present in the system.

—In this paper the control of a bioprocess using an adaptive type-2 fuzzy logic controller is proposed. The process is concerned with the aerobic alcoholic fermentation for the growth of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae a n d i s characterized by nonlinearity and parameter uncertainty. Three type-2 fuzzy controllers heve been developed and tested by simulation: a simple type-2 fuzzy logic controller with 49 rules; a type-2 fuzzyneuro- predictive controller (T2FNPC); a t y p e -2 selftuning fuzzy controller ( T2STFC). The T2FNPC combines the capability of the type-2 fuzzy logic to handle uncertainties, with the ability of predictive control to predict future plant performance making use of a neural network model of the non linear system. In the T2STFC the output scaling factor is adjusted on-line by fuzzy rules according to the current trend of the controlled process. T h e advantage of the proposed adaptive algorithms is to greatly decrease the number of rules needed for the control reducing the computational load and at same time assuring a robust control.

The application of the direct Lyapunov method to the stability analysis of systems controlled by type-2 fuzzy logic controllers (FLC) is presented. The method is an extension of a method proposed for type-1 fuzzy systems. It is usually applied to systems described by state equations and controlled by fuzzy controllers using state variables as inputs but has been extended to controllers that have the error and the integral of error of the controlled variable as inputs. The proposed method allows to modify the controller rule base so that the controlled system is stable in the operating range defined by the manipulative variable constraints. The method is applied to the stability analysis of a bioreactor and of a CSTR controlled by type-2 FLCs.

I controllori a logica fuzzy (FLCs) costituiscono una facile alternativa al controllo di sistemi che hanno un comportamento fortemente non lineare, facendo uso di fuzzy sets e di una logica fuzzy del 1° tipo. A dispetto della loro popolarità però, la ricerca ha mostrato come FLCs di 1° tipo, abbiano difficoltà a gestire e a minimizzare le incertezze presenti in un sistema. Una più grande complessità dei sistemi a logica fuzzy di 2° tipo rispetto quelli del 1° tipo, permette di gestire e conseguentemente di minimizzare gli effetti di una varietà di incertezze che non può essere direttamente gestita da FLS del 1° tipo. In questo lavoro si è considerato l’uso di un FLS del 2° tipo per il controllo adattivo di un bireattore nel quale avviene la fermentazione aerobica alcoolica per la crescita del Saccaromyces Cerevisiae. Il processo è caratterizzato da 2 biforcazioni sella-nodo. Il sistema può diventare instabile per variazioni dei parametri del processo e le biforcazioni possono anche creare delle nuove condizioni operative che sebbene stabili sono inaccettabili da un punto di vista del processo. La performance del controllore adattivo FLC di 2° tipo proposto, con riferimento alle incertezze dei parametri del processo e ai disturbi, è confrontato con la performance di un FLC di 2° tipo con un numero maggiore di regole.

The object of this paper is the application of a type-2 fuzzy logic controller to a nonlinear system that presents bifurcations. A bifurcation can cause instability in the system or can create new working conditions which, although stable, are unacceptable. The only practical solution for an efficient control is the use of high performance controllers that take into account the uncertainties of the process. A type-2 fuzzy logic controller is tested by simulation on a nonlinear bioreactor system that is characterized by a transcritical bifurcation. Simulation results show the validity of the proposed controllers in preventing the system from reaching bifurcation and instable or undesirable stable conditions.