MITICA Experimental Testing - Loading test

This report is part of the 2-year exploratory research project MITICA (MonItoring Transport Infrastructures with Connected and Automated vehicle). It presents the experimental loading testing undertaken on the Reinforced Concrete (RC) platform that represents the full-scale bridge-like structural specimen of the MITICA project. The test involves the quasi-static loading of the RC platform via application of roughly 1000 kg using a water tank at the structural mid-span. The considered load is equivalent to the weight of the moving vehicle employed in the drive-by MITICA experimental campaign. This experimental test aims to assess the structural behaviour (linear/non-linear, elastic/inelastic) under two actions:(i) the additional compressive force at the mid-span; and (ii) the thermal loading effect.JRC.E.3 - Safety and Security of Building

MITICA MonItoring Transport Infrastructures with Connected and Automated Vehicles

This technical report is produced as part of the deliverables of the exploratory research project MITICA (European Commission Joint Research Centre) which investigates innovative methods for the indirect monitoring of European bridges in line with the EU priority of "A Europe fit for the digital age". This is achieved by exploiting the technological advances in vehicles and sensors with the scope of addressing the ageing problem in the European infrastructure. In this respect, an experimental drive-by monitoring campaign is performed under laboratory-controlled conditions using a full-scale bridge-like structure of 9-meter long and a lightweight vehicle equipped with sensors. Additional sensors are installed onto the bridge specimen to provide a controlled experimental environment and offer a conventional monitoring solution for verification purposes. The signal acquisition is based on a power-autonomous wireless sensor network, enabling the maximum flexibility within the roving monitoring experimental testing. In this report, a detailed description of the MITICA experimental campaign is presented, It is experimentally demonstrated that the iSHM methods are case-specific, depending on the dynamic properties of the two systems involved. The obtained research findings highlight the limitations and constraints within iSHM methods as experimentally identified, and show the direction for future work.JRC.E.3 - Built Environmen

MITICA Experimental Testing: Instrumentation and Signal Processing Using the Fast Hammer Impact Testing Method

This report presents the instrumentation and experimental modal testing applied on the bridge-like structural specimen of the exploratory research project MITICA (MonItoring Transport Infrastructures with Connected and Automated vehicle). The undertaken experimental testing relies on the Fast Hammer Impact Testing (FHIT) method, i.e., a Multi-Input-Single-Output approach that is based on the acquisition of structural response signals at a given location due to the application of hammer impulse excitation forces onto the structure that follow a relative dense mesh. For the input/output signal acquisition, two different networks were employed and comperatively assessed, i.e., a wired and a wireless network. Prior to the identification of the inherent dynamic/modal properties of the structure, it was deemed essential to (i) fine-tune the sampling parameters of the wireless transducers that are to be used at the MITICA drive-by monitoring campaign; and (ii) comparatively assess the quality of the acquired data originating from wired and wireless sensors as well as smartphone data. This report aims to address the above two aspects that will form the basis of the pre-processing operations required for the structural modal identification of the MITICA structural specimen.JRC.E.4 - Safety and Security of Building

A MSFD complementary approach for the assessment of pressures, knowledge and data gaps in Southern European Seas : the PERSEUS experience

PERSEUS project aims to identify the most relevant pressures exerted on the ecosystems of the Southern European Seas (SES), highlighting knowledge and data gaps that endanger the achievement of SES Good Environmental Status (GES) as mandated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). A complementary approach has been adopted, by a meta-analysis of existing literature on pressure/impact/knowledge gaps summarized in tables related to the MSFD descriptors, discriminating open waters from coastal areas. A comparative assessment of the Initial Assessments (IAs) for five SES countries has been also independently performed. The comparison between meta-analysis results and IAs shows similarities for coastal areas only. Major knowledge gaps have been detected for the biodiversity, marine food web, marine litter and underwater noise descriptors. The meta-analysis also allowed the identification of additional research themes targeting research topics that are requested to the achievement of GES. 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license.peer-reviewe

QUANTIFICAÇÃO DO RISCO DE CONTAMINAÇÃO DA COVID-19 DIANTE DE ATIVIDADES ESSENCIAIS E PROPOSTA PARA O NEXO CAUSAL COMO DOENÇA OCUPACIONAL NO BRASIL: QUANTIFICATION OF THE RISK OF CONTAMINATION OF COVID-19 IN THE FACE OF ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES AND PROPOSAL FOR THE CAUSAL LINK AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IN BRAZIL

Introducción: la validación de la enfermedad profesional se produce a través de investigaciones que prueban la enfermedad del trabajador ante la exposición al agente causal. Objetivo: aplicar una herramienta de análisis de riesgos como un dispositivo para verificar la existencia de un vínculo causal entre el trabajo y la enfermedad causada por COVID-19. Métodos: se adoptó la cuantificación de un índice de riesgo de contagio (IRC) a través de la herramienta HRN (Hazard Rating Number) para profesionales en áreas esenciales, como salud, farmacias, trabajadores de oficina, entre otros. Resultados: Los profesionales de la salud tuvieron un IRC alto (7200), seguido de asistentes y trabajadores de supermercados (5700) y farmacias (3840). En cuanto al trabajo de oficina en casa, el IRC fue el más bajo (1,188). Discusión / Conclusión: El grado de gravedad se adoptó para el análisis de riesgos como una enfermedad crítica (DPH = 12), ya que lo que determina el vínculo causal es la contaminación por COVID-19, que está relacionado con MP 927 que se utilizó tan vigoroso de la discusión. Se concluye que la aplicación de la herramienta de análisis de riesgos permitió correlacionar la actividad realizada con la existencia de una enfermedad ocupacional causada por COVID-19 y como se subestima el caso de subregistro de hospitalizaciones y muertes causadas, el IRC debe ser aún mayor.Introduction: The validation of the occupational disease occurs through research that proves the illness of the worker in the face of exposure to the causative agent. Objective: To apply a risk analysis tool as a device to verify the existence of a causal link between work and the illness caused by COVID-19. Methods: It adopted the quantification of a Contagion Risk Index (IRC) through the HRN (Hazard Rating Number) tool for professionals in essential areas, such as health, pharmacies, home office workers, among others. Results: Health professionals had a high CRI (7200), followed by attendants and workers from supermarkets (5700) and pharmacies (3840). As for home office work, the IRC was the lowest (1.188). Discussion/Conclusion: The degree of severity was adopted for risk analysis as a critical disease (DPH = 12), since what determines the causal link is contamination by COVID-19, which is linked to MP 927 that was used as vigorous of the discussion. It is concluded that the application of the risk analysis tool allowed to correlate the activity performed with the existence of an occupational disease caused by COVID-19 and as the case of underreporting of hospitalizations and deaths caused is underestimated, the CRI must be even higher.Introdução: A validação da doença ocupacional ocorre através de investigação que comprove o adoecimento do trabalhador frente à exposição ao agente causador. Objetivo: Aplicar uma ferramenta de análise de riscos como artifício para constatar a existência do nexo causal entre o trabalho e a enfermidade provocada pela COVID-19. Métodos: Adotou-se a quantificação de um Índice de Risco de Contágio (IRC) através da ferramenta HRN (Hazard Rating Number) para profissionais de áreas essenciais, como saúde, farmácias, trabalhadores em home office, dentre outros. Resultados: Os profissionais da saúde apresentaram um alto IRC (7200), seguidos por atendentes e trabalhadores de supermercados (5700) e farmácias (3840). Já o trabalho em home office, o IRC foi o mais baixo (1,188). Discussão/Conclusão: Adotou-se o grau de severidade para análise de risco como uma doença crítica (DPH=12), pois o que determina o nexo causal é a contaminação pela COVID-19, nexo este, vinculado à MP 927 que foi utilizada como pujante da discussão. Conclui-se que a aplicação da ferramenta de análise de riscos permitiu correlacionar a atividade desempenhada com a existência de uma doença ocupacional causada pelo COVID-19 e como o caso de subnotificações de internações e óbitos causados está subestimado, o IRC deve ser ainda maior

Indirect structural health monitoring (iSHM) of transport infrastructure in the digital age

The existing European motorway infrastructure network is prone to ageing and subject to natural events (e.g. climate change) and hazards (e.g. earthquakes), necessitating immediate actions for its maintenance and safety. Within this context, the structural health monitoring (SHM) framework allows a quantitative assessment of the structural integrity, serviceability and performance, facilitating better-informed decisions for the management of the existing infrastructure. The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) established the exploratory research project MITICA (Monitoring Transport Infrastructures with Connected and Automated vehicles) to investigate the opportunity to use novel methods for infrastructure motoring, aiming at the efficient maintenance of the European aging road infrastructure. This report summarizes the discussion and the outcomes of a workshop held at the JRC in Ispra (Italy) on June 6-7 2022, as part of the MITICA project. Considering the EU priority “A Europe fit for the digital age”, the workshop was dedicated to SHM and its application to civil infrastructure, focusing on innovative indirect structural health monitoring (iSHM) approaches that rely on the vehicle-bridge interaction and the deployment of sensor-equipped vehicles for the monitoring of the existing bridge infrastructure. The report aims to become a reference document in the area of iSHM using passing vehicles, for both scholars and policy makers.JRC.C.4 - Sustainable, Smart and Safe Mobilit

Artificial Intelligence at the JRC

This document presents the contributions presented at the first internal workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI), organized by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. This workshop was held on 23rd May at the premises of the JRC in Ispra (Italy), with video-conference to all JRC's sites. The workshop aimed to gather JRC specialists on AI to share their experience, to identify opportunities for meeting the EC demands on AI, and explore synergies among different JRC's working groups on AI. The full-day session workshop was organized around three main topical strands entitled Policy support, New Initiatives and Technology Development. Contributions covered a wide range of areas, including applications of AI to Cybersecurity, Transport, Environment, Health and other specific issues. This report is structured according to those main topics of study. According to the JRC Director General Vladimír Šucha: "The workshop was very stimulating and interesting presenting a broad spectrum of activities and competencies across JRC. It gave a great opportunity to build a strong and hopefully useful position in the field of AI/ML". While the first part of the workshop was mainly informative, in the second part we collectively discussed about JRC priorities and the set-up of a Community of Practice (now available at https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/connected/groups/community-of-practice-ai-and-big-data) dealing with AI and Big Data. Finally, the preliminary results of the online survey were presented. All colleagues were excellent in communicating their scientific activity in a flash and efficient way.JRC.B.6 - Digital Econom

Does the impact of COVID-19 on patients with systemic sclerosis change over time?

Objective: The outcome of patients with COVID-19 improved over the pandemic, including patients with systemic rheumatic diseases. However, data on patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are lacking. This study aimed to assess the outcome of patients with both SSc and COVID-19 over several waves. Methods: Patients with both SSc and COVID-19 who were registered in the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) were collected between April 2020 and April 2021. Patients were assigned to waves 1, 2, or 3 depending on the date of their COVID-19 diagnosis. Primary endpoints were death, intensive care unit stay, or ventilatory support (severe outcome). Subgroup analyses of patients who were hospitalized or died were conducted. General and SSc-specific characteristics and treatment were compared over the waves. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were applied. Results: A total of 333 patients were included; 57 patients (17%) had a severe outcome, and 30 patients (9%) died. Compared to wave 1, significantly fewer patients with SSc suffered from severe COVID-19 in waves 2 and 3 (28.2% vs 9.8% and 12.7%; P < 0.001), fewer patients required hospitalization (46.7% vs 19.6% and 25.5%; P < 0.001) or ventilatory support (24.0% vs 8.7% and 10.9%; P = 0.001), and fewer patients died (15.7% vs 5.0% and 7.5%; P = 0.011). Patients were significantly younger, more often men, had less frequent arterial hypertension, and less SSc cardiac involvement over waves 1 to 3. Patients received significantly less medium to high doses of corticosteroids as they did SSc treatment. Conclusion: The outcome of patients with both SSc and COVID-19 improved significantly over time because of intrinsic and extrinsic factors