Quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: Italian validation of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39-IT)

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) to the Italian culture was performed by Oxford University Innovation in 2008, but this version has never been validated. Therefore, we performed the process of validation of the Italian version of the PDQ-39 (PDQ-39-IT) following the “Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments” checklist. The translated PDQ-39-IT was tested with 104 patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who were recruited between June and October 2017. The mean age of the participants was 65.7 ± 10.2 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 7.4 ± 5.3 years. The internal consistency of the PDQ-39-IT was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha and ranged from 0.69 to 0.92. In an assessment of test-retest reliability in 35 of the 104 patients, the infraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.85 to 0.96 for the various subitems of the PDQ-39-IT (all p < 0.01). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for the validity of the PDQ-39-IT and the Italian version of the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) was − 0.50 (p < 0.01). The results show that the PDQ-39-IT is a reliable and valid tool to assess the impact of PD on functioning and well-being. Thus, the PDQ-39-IT can be used in clinical and research practice to assess this construct and to evaluate the overall effect of different treatments in Italian PD patients

High order filters for relative pose estimation of an uncooperative target

LAUREA MAGISTRALELa stima sequenziale dello stato della posa relativa tra un inseguitore ed il suo target diventa un problema complicato quando la dinamica dei satelliti e l'equazione delle misure presenta alte nonlinearità. Il classico filtro di Kalman esteso può presentare difficoltà nel filtrare lo stato del target, di conseguenza sono stati sviluppati filtri di alto ordine capaci di identificare la media e la covarianza in maniera più accurata in questo elaborato. Questa tesi espone come i primi due momenti, i.e. media e covarianza, vengano propagati da diverse tecniche quali l'Algebra Differenziale (DA) e l' Unscented Transformation, e sottolinea i loro miglioramenti rispetto alla linearizzazione. Queste nuove tecniche sono i blocchi fondamentali di tre nuove tipologie di filtri: il DA-based high order extended Kalman Filter (filtro di Kalman esteso di alto ordine basato sulla DA), l' Unscented Kalman Filter, e il DA-based Unscented Kalman Filter. Le prestazioni dei filtri sono valutate e paragonate su un test case, indirizzandosi al problema delle operazioni di avvicinamento al target ENVISAT. Dopo aver descritto la dinamica del satellite, viene presentata una dettagliata discussione sul modello di misura. Le posizioni dei markers sono la tipica informazione che viene ricevuta dal software che processa le immagini di una camera. Quindi, la loro relazione con lo stato relativo e la loro visibilità deve essere discussa. Successivamente, una analisi Monte Carlo viene riportata per mostrare i miglioramenti dei filtri descritti rispetto alla classica implementazione del filtro di Kalman esteso in termini di errore medio e tempo computazionale. Inoltre, la sensitività delle prestazioni rispetto al numero e alla distribuzione dei markers è investigata, e una analisi sulle conseguenze della mancanza di misure è effettuata per dimostrare robustezza.The sequential state estimation of the relative pose between a chaser and its target becomes a complex problem when the dynamics of the satellites and the measurements equation are highly nonlinear. The classical Extended Kalman Filter may show difficulties to filter the state of the target, thus high order filters that are able to capture mean and covariance more accurately has been developed in this work. This thesis explains how the first two moments, i.e. mean and covariance, are propagated with different techniques such as Differential Algebra and the Unscented Transformation, and highlights their improvements compared to linearization. These new techniques are used as building blocks for three new kind of filters: the DA-based high order extended Kalman Filter, the Unscented Kalman Filter, and the DA-based Unscented Kalman Filter. The performances of the resulting filters are assessed and compared on a test case, addressing the problem of proximity operations around the target ENVISAT. After describing the satellite dynamics, a detailed discussion on the measurements model is presented. Markers positions are the typical data obtained from the image processing software of a camera. Thus, their relation with the relative state and their visibility are discussed. Then, a Monte Carlo analysis is reported to show the improvements of the presented filters with respect to the classical implementation of the extended Kalman filter in terms of mean error and computational time. In addition, the sensitivity of the performance to the number and distribution of the markers is investigated, and an analysis of the consequences of the lack of measurements is carried out to prove robustness

Fuzzy clustering algorithm to identify the effects of some soil parameters on mechanical aspects of soil and wheat yield

In this paper, site-specific management zones (MZs) were delineated in three fields belonging to a farm in the center of Italy and characterized by different soil texture. Crop yield and various soil parameters, both physical (soil structural stability, clay fraction, water content, and organic matter) and mechanical (shear strength and penetration resistance) were monitored. Yield data were acquired by means of a combine harvester equipped with a precision land management system during three consecutive growing seasons. At the end of the third growing season, soil properties were investigated by means of georeferenced soil sampling. After data gathering, a fuzzy clustering algorithm was applied to define management zones. Results highlighted spatial variability between the three fields and temporal variability between the three consecutive growing seasons. Whilst the latter could be ascribed to the rainfall distribution (therefore moisture could be considered as a limiting factor in wheat growth), the delineated MZs suggest that clay content and organic matter could affect both mechanical parameters of soil and crop yield. The defined MZs can serve as a basis to generate prescription maps for variable-rate application inputs and variable tillage

Markers Identification for Relative Pose Estimation of an Uncooperative Target

This paper introduces a novel method using chaser spacecraft image processing and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to detect structural markers on the European Space Agency's (ESA) Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) for safe de-orbiting. Advanced image pre-processing techniques, including noise addition and blurring, are employed to improve marker detection accuracy and robustness. Initial results show promising potential for autonomous space debris removal, supporting proactive strategies for space sustainability. The effectiveness of our approach suggests that our estimation method could significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of debris removal operations by implementing more robust and autonomous systems in actual space missions.Comment: 2024 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conferenc

Influence of tyres characteristics and travelling speed on ride vibrations of a modern medium powered tractor Part I: Analysis of the driving seat vibration

In the present investigation a contribution is offered in order to improve the knowledge of the influence of both speed and tyre type on a medium power tractor vibrations.  The vibrations transmitted from the ground to the driver’s seat of a ballasted wheeled tractor of medium power, equipped with a front suspension axle and a suspended cab, have been measured and analyzed.  Two different tyres, namely, types A and B, at two different forward speeds, 11.1 and 13.9 m s-1, have been experimentally tested, during the simulation of the front agricultural implements transportation on a rectilinear plane tract of a conglomerate bituminous closed track.  This work has been done by applying standards recommended by ISO 2631/1, 1997.  Results were obtained on the basis of the measurement of both the root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration and the frequency analysis, conducted for any axis on the tractor rear axle and on the operator seat.  In particular, different results were obtained for the two tyres and along all the axes.  Furthermore, the acceleration was not strictly proportional to the forward speed increases.   Keywords: tractors, high speed, whole body vibrations, tyre

Influence of tyres characteristics and travelling speed on ride vibrations of a modern medium powered tractor Part I: Analysis of the driving seat vibration

In the present investigation a contribution is offered in order to improve the knowledge of the influence of both speed and tyre type on a medium power tractor vibrations.  The vibrations transmitted from the ground to the driver’s seat of a ballasted wheeled tractor of medium power, equipped with a front suspension axle and a suspended cab, have been measured and analyzed.  Two different tyres, namely, types A and B, at two different forward speeds, 11.1 and 13.9 m s-1, have been experimentally tested, during the simulation of the front agricultural implements transportation on a rectilinear plane tract of a conglomerate bituminous closed track.  This work has been done by applying standards recommended by ISO 2631/1, 1997.  Results were obtained on the basis of the measurement of both the root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration and the frequency analysis, conducted for any axis on the tractor rear axle and on the operator seat.  In particular, different results were obtained for the two tyres and along all the axes.  Furthermore, the acceleration was not strictly proportional to the forward speed increases.   Keywords: tractors, high speed, whole body vibrations, tyre

Influence of tyres characteristics and travelling speed on ride vibrations of a modern medium powered tractor Part II, Evaluation of the Health Risk

In this paper, according to ISO 2631/1, 1997, the influence of the mechanical vibrations on human health is evaluated and assessed with four methods: the health guidance caution zones (HGCZ), the estimated vibration dose value (eVDV), the fourth power vibration dose value (VDV), a combination of various methods presented in literature.  The normative refers to the HGCZ, which involves the average RMS vibration emission level and its exposure time during a given working day.  Values of crest factor for the operator seat showed that Z-axis was the more solicited, even if all the crest factor values are below 9.  Results of mechanical vibration in respect of comfort and health, according with the method of the HGCZ, showed that only case B, at higher forward speed, does not exceed the lower boundary of the zone.  According to the fourth power vibration dose method and ratios for comparison of basic and additional methods of evaluation, the results showed that only case A, at lower forward speed, does not exceeded 1.25.   Keywords: whole body vibration, tractor, comfort, health risk, tyres

A Koopman Operator Tutorial with Othogonal Polynomials

The Koopman Operator (KO) offers a promising alternative methodology to solve ordinary differential equations analytically. The solution of the dynamical system is analyzed in terms of observables, which are expressed as a linear combination of the eigenfunctions of the system. Coefficients are evaluated via the Galerkin method, using Legendre polynomials as a set of orthogonal basis functions. This tutorial provides a detailed analysis of the Koopman theory, followed by a rigorous explanation of the KO implementation in a computer environment, where a line-by-line description of a MATLAB code solves the Duffing oscillator application.Comment: 22 pages. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2110.1211

Codes of Commitment to Crime and Resistance: Determining Social and Cultural Factors over the Behaviors of Italian Mafia Women

This article categorizes thirty-three women in four main Italian Mafia groups and explores social and cultural behaviors of these women. This study introduces the feminist theory of belief and action. The theoretical inquiry investigates the sometimes conflicting behaviors of women when they are subject to systematic oppression. I argue that there is a cultural polarization among the categorized sub-groups. Conservative radicals give their support to the Mafia while defectors and rebels resist the Mafia. After testing the theory, I assert that emancipation of women depends on the strength of their beliefs to perform actions against the Mafiosi culture

Automatic Mapping of the Lava Flows at Piton de la Fournaise Volcano, by Combining Thermal Data in Near and Visible Infrared

International audienc