University Of Naples Research Articles

A Preliminary Investigation on Designing of the Novel and First Italian elastoCaloric Device

The vapor compression used in refrigeration is responsible for about one-fifth of the world's energy consumption. One of the most promising alternatives is elastoCaloric refrigeration, which is gradually gaining acceptance in the scientific community. The fundamental element of elastoCaloric refrigeration is the shape memory alloy (SMA) which is capable of absorbing/releasing heat when subjected to stress cycles due to the transformation process of the martensitic phase. Their mechanical properties allow them to return to their initial shape once the load is removed. To date, there are a minimal number of prototypes of high-calorie chillers, and these are still far from the large-scale industrialization process. The preliminary stages for the design and development of the first energy-efficient chiller were presented in this work. The goal is to create a rotary prototype in collaboration with the University of Naples "Federico II", the University of Genoa, and the National Research Council that can represent a fundamental step towards new innovative techniques for refrigeration.

Epidemic thunderstorm asthma

Epidemic thunderstorm asthma

Lightweight steel systems: Proposal and validation of seismic design rules for second generation of Eurocode 8

The current edition of Eurocode 8 (EN 1998 (CEN (2004))) does not explicitly cover the earthquake-resistant design of the Lightweight steel (LWS) buildings made with cold-formed steel (CFS) frame. Extensive research has been carried out in the past decade on this topic that provides a solid background for an update of the current provisions and the development of a new edition of the code. As part of the revision process of Eurocode 8, several activities are currently under development. Within this framework, this paper presents a set of design rules for the seismic design of LWS buildings based on background studies carried out at the University of Naples “Federico II”. A critical review of the provisions given by international design standards for the seismic design of LWS systems is also presented. The proposed design rules include a set of provisions for achieving the dissipative behaviour of Lateral Force Resisting System (LFRS) and predicting their design strength, together with behaviour factor values and geometrical and mechanical limitations. Different types of LFRS are analysed, namely CFS strap-braced walls and CFS shear walls with steel sheets, wood, or gypsum sheathing. Worked examples are also presented to show the applicability of the proposed design rules on a set of building archetypes. Validation numerical study is performed using both nonlinear static and incremental dynamic analysis approaches. Finally, the collapse performance of the archetypes is assessed following the seismic performance evaluation protocol of FEMA P695.

Virtual exhibition for design workshops. Some experiences at DiARC_ University of Naples “Federico II

In the following we describe some conceptual steps and problematic nodes concerning the theme of new and integrable ways of laboratory teaching aided by advanced computer tools developed at the Architectural and Urban Composition Studio or Final Architectural Studio of the five-year single- cycle degree courses in Architecture and the Master’s degree course in Architectural Studio at the DiARC of the University of Naples “Federico II” held – - in the academic years 2019-20 and 2020-21 – and coordinated by Renato Capozzi with the collaboration of Nicola Campanile, Gennaro Di Costanzo, Roberta Esposito, Oreste Lubrano, Claudia Sansò and Francesca Spacagna. The contribution, starting from a questioning of the potentialities but also of the limits of a didactics of the project according to the D.a.D. or blended modality according to a wider perspective of heterotopic sense of Foucauldian matrix in the paragraph “Real VS Virtual”, is articulated in three more technical related paragraphs: “The 3D models”; “Elaboration of the sharing interface”; “Experiences of virtual exhibitions”. The essay ends with some provisional “Conclusions” that reflect on the actual potentialities and development prospects of the combined use of the technologies employed. While the text “3D Models” analyses the main techniques for the production of virtual models to define the spheroidal environment in which the exhibition is to be located and the fundamental elements (graphics and models) for the construction of the exhibition’s itinerary or multiple itineraries, the following section describes the phases of elaboration of the multimedia product to be shared on the web or through other media, offering the user autonomous navigation in the exhibition spaces and a strong interactivity of its contents. At the end, the main experiences of virtual exhibitions produced in 2020 and 2021 are reported and exhibited for the first time on 28th November 2020 (only for a part related to the annus terribilis 2020) in the Researcher’s European night, promoted by MEET me TONIGHT “Faccia a Faccia con la ricerca”, Link city | DiARC UNINA neaPòlis Scuola Politecnica e delle scienze di base – Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II” through the system: Jitsi Meetings.

A comparison of aleurone cells in centenarian African and contemporary barley seeds to identify the geographic origin

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the main domesticated cereals. For this reason, barley seeds have been found in numerous archaeological sites, and since the mid-19th century have been available in numerous natural museum collections. About a hundred years ago samples were collected in the African countries of Eritrea and Cyrenaica (now Libya), and have been preserved as ex-situ in the museum collection “L’Orientale” of the University of Naples. The varieties of contemporary barley selected for comparative analysis were grown in Tuscany and are used in the production of craft beer. To ascertain their vitality, the ancient and contemporary seeds were placed in Petri dishes to hydrate under a sterile hood at room temperature after a sterilization procedure. Morphological and ultrastructural observations performed on the aleurone cells of the ancient samples presented vital cells. The extraction and purification of DNA from seeds produced results while the genotype comparison of ancient and contemporary barley varieties enabled the construction of a dendrogram of similarity, useful in describing barley from museum genetic heritage collections and in providing a molecular imprint of extant varieties.

The “UNI.ATT” method, method for assessing the risk of accidents from the use of machines and equipment

The Legislative Decree 81/08 in title III chapter I defines work equipment as "any machine, appliance, tool or plant, understood as the set of machines, equipment and components necessary for the implementation of a production process, intended to be used during work". From this definition we can perceive how meaningful the use of equipment in production processes is and how there is a considerable diversification of the same in terms of categories and types. Each work equipment, depending on the characteristics and methods of use, can be a source of danger, both for the health and safety of exposed workers. In the national scientific literature, there are no validated methods that allow you to calculate, with objective criteria, the accident risk related to the use of equipment in the workplace. For this reason, the Prevention and Protection Service of the Federico II University of Naples has developed an assessment method called "UNI.ATT", through which it is possible to perform the calculation of the accident risk in an automated manner.

The “UNI.ATT” method, method for assessing the risk of accidents from the use of machines and equipment

The Legislative Decree 81/08 in title III chapter I defines work equipment as “any machine, appliance, tool or plant,understood as the set of machines, equipment and components necessary for the implementation of a production process, intended to be used during work”. From this definition we can perceive how meaningful the use of equipment inproduction processes is and how there is a considerable diversification of the same in terms of categories and types.Each work equipment, depending on the characteristics and methods of use, can be a source of danger, both for thehealth and safety of exposed workers.In the national scientific literature, there are no validated methods that allow you to calculate, with objective criteria,the accident risk related to the use of equipment in the workplace.For this reason, the Prevention and Protection Service of the Federico II University of Naples has developed anassessment method called “UNI.ATT”, through which it is possible to perform the calculation of the accident risk inan automated manner

Seismic microzonation in a complex volcano-tectonic setting: the case of northern and western Ischia Island (southern Italy)

On August 21, 2017, the volcanic island of Ischia was struck by a Mw 3.9 (http://cnt.rm.ingv.it/event/16796811) earthquake which caused two victims and heavy damages on wide portions of the Casamicciola Terme, Lacco Ameno and Forio municipalities.Following the Decree 1/2018 of the Government Commission for the reconstruction of damaged areas of Ischia Island, a Grade 3 Seismic Microzonation study was committed by each municipality to private consultants, who were scientifically supported by a multidisciplinary team of geologists, geophysicists and geotechnical engineers from CNR, INGV and University of Naples “Federico II”.The existing data from previous geological and geotechnical investigations were integrated with the results of new geo-lithological surveys and geophysical measurements (HVSR, MASW, Down hole tests) carried out by the consultants. The whole amount of data was quality checked, homogenized and collected in a SQLite/SpatiaLite geodatabase using a QGIS open source software by the support team.A geo-lithological map of northern and western sides of the island was then produced, and the results of routine geophysical tests were coupled with those of seismic 2D ambient vibration arrays, to obtain shear wave velocity profiles (several hundreds of meters deep) down to the seismic bedrock, made of lithic tuffs and lavas, and to define its buried morphology. This in turn enabled to draw a map of seismically homogeneous microzones of the entire study area. Cyclic torsional shear tests were carried out on 10 undisturbed soil samples, mainly taken from epiclastic cover deposits, to characterize their non-linear behavior to be adopted for seismic response analyses.These latter were carried out along 1D profiles characterizing each microzone and along selected 2D cross sections running from the Mount Epomeo to the coast. The dynamic analyses allowed to detect and map areas characterized by variable amplification factors, of spectral accelerations throughout different ranges of periods (0.1- 0.5s, 04.-0.8s, 0.7-1.1 s). The zones most prone to site amplification are those corresponding to localized graben-like depressions at the toe of Mount Epomeo, such as Maio neighborhood of Casamicciola, where thickened epiclastic covers are entrenched into blocks of uplifted bedrock and where a combination of 1D stratigraphic amplification and 2D reflection and diffraction effects is expected.

Interferon beta for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the Campania Region of Italy: Merging the real-life to routinely collected healthcare data.

We aim to overcome limitations of previous clinical and population-based studies by merging a clinical registry to routinely-collected healthcare data, and to specifically describe differences in clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilization and costs between interferon beta formulations for multiple sclerosis (MS). We included 850 patients with MS treated with interferon beta formulations, from 2015 to 2019, seen at the MS Clinical Care and Research Centre (Federico II University of Naples, Italy) and with linkage to routinely-collected healthcare data (prescription data, hospital admissions, outpatient services). We extracted and computed clinical outcomes (relapses, 6-month EDSS progression using a roving EDSS as reference), persistence (time spent on a specific interferon beta formulation), adherence (medication possession ratio (MPR)), healthcare resource utilization and costs (annualized hospitalization rate (AHR), costs for hospital admissions and DMTs). To evaluate differences between interferon beta formulations, we used linear regression (adherence), Poisson regression (AHR), mixed-effect regression (costs), and Cox-regression models (time varying variables); covariates were age, sex, treatment duration, baseline EDSS and adherence. Looking at clinical outcomes, rates of relapses and EDSS progression were lower than studies run on previous cohorts; there was no differences in relapse risk between interferon beta formulations. Risk of discontinuation was higher for Betaferon®/Extavia® (HR = 3.28; 95%CI = 2.11, 5.12; p<0.01). Adherence was lower for Betaferon®/Extavia® (Coeff = -0.05; 95%CI = -0.10, -0.01; p = 0.02), and Avonex® (Coeff = -0.06; 95%CI = -0.11, -0.02; p<0.01), when compared with Rebif® and Plegridy® (Coeff = 0.08; 95%CI = 0.01, 0.16; p = 0.02). AHR and costs for MS hospital admissions were higher for Betaferon®/Extavia® (IRR = 2.38; 95%CI = 1.01, 5.55; p = 0.04; Coeff = 14.95; 95%CI = 1.39, 28.51; p = 0.03). We have showed the feasibility of merging routinely-collected healthcare data to a clinical registry for future MS research, and have confirmed interferon beta formulations play an important role in the management of MS, with positive clinical outcomes. Differences between interferon beta formulations are mostly driven by adherence and healthcare resource utilization.

Seismic design rules for lightweight steel shear walls with steel sheet sheathing in the 2nd-generation Eurocodes

The current structural European codes for seismic design EN1998-1 do not provide design criteria for cold formed steel (CFS) shear walls with steel sheet sheathing, limiting their use as a lateral force resisting system (LFRS) in lightweight steel (LWS) buildings. To overcome this lack of guidelines, a specific study has been carried out at the University of Naples “Federico II”. The main goals of the study are the validation/calibration of the Effective strip method (ESM) by Yanagi & Yu [26] and the definition of seismic design parameters according to the European format. The main results show that ESM gives a reliable prediction if the shear resistance of screw connections is evaluated based on equations from AISI S100 [1]. A safety factor for resistance equal to 1.25 can be used for the evaluation of the design wall resistance according to Limit state design (LSD) and an overstrength (expected resistance) factor equal to 1.4 can be adopted for the design of non-ductile components according to capacity design.

A Health Technology Assessment in Maxillofacial Cancer Surgery by Using the Six Sigma Methodology.

Squamous cell carcinoma represents the most common cancer affecting the oral cavity. At the University of Naples “Federico II”, two different antibiotic protocols were used in patients undergoing oral mucosa cancer surgery from 2006 to 2018. From 2011, there was a shift; the combination of Cefazolin plus Clindamycin as a postoperative prophylactic protocol was chosen. In this paper, a health technology assessment (HTA) is performed by using the Six Sigma and DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) cycle in order to compare the performance of the antibiotic protocols according to the length of hospital stay (LOS). The data (13 variables) of two groups were collected and analysed; overall, 136 patients were involved. The American Society of Anaesthesiologist score, use of lymphadenectomy or tracheotomy and the presence of infections influenced LOS significantly (p-value < 0.05) in both groups. Then, the groups were compared: the overall difference between LOS of the groups was not statistically significant, but some insights were provided by comparing the LOS of the groups according to each variable. In conclusion, in light of the insights provided by this study regarding the comparison of two antibiotic protocols, the utilization of DMAIC cycle and Six Sigma tools to perform HTA studies could be considered in future research.

The Italian Master in Clinical Bioethics Consultation: 2013-2020 Experience

"This work is aimed at critically illustring the eight-year experience of the Master in “Clinical Bioethics Consultation” (2013-2020). This advanced second-level Master was promoted in 2013 by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, and co-worked by other Italian clinical as well as academic institutions (University Campus Bio-medico of Rome, Insubria University of Varese, “Federico II” University of Naples, Lanza Foundation of Padua, Local Health and Social Care Unit n. 7 (ULSS) of Veneto Region, Treviso; Ospedale San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli – Isola Tiberina, Rome, and Italian Group for clinical ethics consultation (GIBCE)). To this aim, it first will discuss two points: on the one hand, an epistemological one, i.e. the justification of the activity of ethics consultant in clinical settings supported by the authors; on the other hand, a pedagogical one, i.e. the identification of the learning needs clinical bioethics gives birth to. The second part of the work will focus on the experience of the Master, explaining its basic features (objectives, methods, contents, evaluation tools, etc), offering a critical review, and identifying the challenges this initiative has to face in the next future. "

Spontaneous Muscle Hematoma in Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review with Description of an Additional Case Series

Coagulation abnormalities, thrombosis, and endothelial dysfunction have been described in COVID-19 patients. Spontaneous muscle hematoma (SMH) is a rare complication in COVID-19. The aims of this study are to: (1) perform a systematic review of the literature to better define the clinical SMH characteristics, (2) describe the prevalence and the clinical characteristics of SMH in COVID-19 patients referring to a Department of Internal Medicine (IM) (Federico II University of Naples), a Department of Sub-Intensive Care Medicine (SIM) (Ospedale Del Mare), and a Department of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (Federico II University). The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA criteria. The local prevalence of SMH in COVID-19 was evaluated retrospectively. The medical records of all COVID-19 patients referring to IM and ICU from March 11th, 2020, to February 28th, 2021 were examined for SMH occurrence. In our retrospective analysis, we describe 10 cases of COVID-19 patients with SMH not previously reported in literature, with a prevalence of 2.1%. The literature review, inclusive of our case series, describes a total of 50 SMHs in COVID-19 patients (57.4% males; mean age 68.8 ± 10.0 years). The SMH sites were ileo-psoas, vastus intermedius, gluteus, sternocleidomastoid, and pectoralis major muscles. Males developed SMH earlier than females (9.5 ± 7.8 vs. 17.1 ± 9.7 days). Ileo-psoas hematoma was more frequent in males (69.2 vs. 30.8%), while pectoralis major hematoma occurred only in females. The in-hospital mortality rate of SMH in COVID-19 patients was 32.4%. SMH is a rare but severe complication in COVID-19 hospitalized patients, associated with high mortality. A gender difference seems to be present in the clinical presentation of the disorder.

The ‘wellbeing’ in spite of everything: small sharing spaces with families or peer educators during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the difficult period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a workshop was implemented online, leading a study about the effectiveness of the 'Salotti del BenEssere©' model among students and future educators. This course is the result of the collaboration between the Suor Orsola Benincasa University in Naples and ASL Napoli 1 Centro. It’s a model of salutogenesis that specifically proposes a multicentre space for the evaluation and spread of healthy lifestyles. Due to the pandemic and the consequent social isolation, the 'keys' to access the main topics for the healthy lifestyle promotion were explored online in order to overcome social isolation; at the beginning of each lesson on the Salotti del BenEssere©, audio files were provided to guide the students through the experience of each “key”: Breathing, Nutrition and Emotions.The lessons were carried out through distance teaching on the online platform called “Google Meet”. For evaluation purposes, questionnaires that were originally created in paper format were transferred to the online opensharing platform “Google Forms”. The general aim of the evaluation is to establish whether the educational process formulated by the “Salotti del BenEssere©” has an impact on self-perception in relationships. The specific aim of this study is to verify whether there were differences between the results achieved by the students who were able to experience the face-to-face lessons and those who were forced to attend the lessons online and, if so, to record which ones are significant.We believe that these innovative and digital techniques can become a tool for future educators, especially in emergency situations, to overcome social isolation.

The ‘wellbeing’ in spite of everything: small sharing spaces with families or peer educators during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the difficult period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a workshop was implemented online, leading a studyabout the effectiveness of the ‘Salotti del BenEssere©’ model among students and future educators. This course isthe result of the collaboration between the Suor Orsola Benincasa University in Naples and ASL Napoli 1 Centro.It’s a model of salutogenesis that specifically proposes a multicentre space for the evaluation and spread of healthylifestyles. Due to the pandemic and the consequent social isolation, the ‘keys’ to access the main topics for the healthylifestyle promotion were explored online in order to overcome social isolation; at the beginning of each lesson onthe Salotti del BenEssere©, audio files were provided to guide the students through the experience of each “key”:Breathing, Nutrition and Emotions.The lessons were carried out through distance teaching on the online platformcalled “Google Meet”. For evaluation purposes, questionnaires that were originally created in paper format weretransferred to the online opensharing platform “Google Forms”. The general aim of the evaluation is to establishwhether the educational process formulated by the “Salotti del BenEssere©” has an impact on self-perception inrelationships. The specific aim of this study is to verify whether there were differences between the results achievedby the students who were able to experience the face-to-face lessons and those who were forced to attend the lessonsonline and, if so, to record which ones are significant.We believe that these innovative and digital techniques canbecome a tool for future educators, especially in emergency situations, to overcome social isolation.

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.

Evaluation of Novel Endpoints As Treatment Outcome in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Comparison of “Classical” and “Refined” Definition of Graft-Versus Host Disease Free and Relapse Free Survival for Registry-Based Studies

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is often associated with major complications resulting in poor outcome, including acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), relapse and death. Holtan et al. (Blood 2015) proposed GVHD free/relapse free survival (GRFS), as a composite endpoint to analyse transplant associated morbidity. This endpoint considers as events grades III-IV acute GVHD, systemic therapy requiring chronic GVHD, primary disease relapse, or death for any cause. Although it could be a good indicator in prospective trials, since it seems to characterize the survival without mortality or ongoing morbidity, it might be difficult to use in retrospective setting. A “refined” GRFS (considering grade III-IV acute GVHD, extended/severe chronic GVHD, relapse and death for any cause) was proposed by Ruggeri et al (BMT 2016) to adapt this endpoint also to registry-based studies.To compare definitions of this composite endpoint we retrospectively analyzed “classical” and “refined” GRFS on 959 consecutive patients receiving HSCT at Federico II University in Naples (n=119) and Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris (n=840) between 2007 and 2014. Data collection is based on the European Group of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) registry via the central data processing system “Project Manager Internet Server” (ProMISe), considering the MED-A and MED-B forms for patients registered in those two centers. A MED-C form was built for all patients who developed chronic GVHD.Median age of patients at transplant was 41 (range 4-64 years) whereas median duration of follow-up for survivors after HSCT was 38 months (range: 0-97.7 months). Characteristics of patients were reported in table 1. Cumulative incidence (CI) at day 100 of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute GVHD were 41.1% (95%CI 37.9-44.3%) and 15.6% (95%CI 13.4-18), respectively. CI of chronic GVHD requiring systemic treatment and diagnosed according to NIH criteria was 22.3% (95%CI 20.7 -26.3) at 1 year and 32.6 % (95%CI 29.5-36.0) at 3 years. CI of severe/extended chronic GVHD (as reported in ProMise registry) was estimated at 16.6% (95%CI 14.1-19.5) at 1 year and 22.5% (95%CI 19.4-26.0) at 3 years. CI of relapse was 18.7% (95%CI 16.3-21.5%) at 1 year, 25.1% (95%CI 22.3-28.2%) at 3 years and 26.7 (95%CI 23.7-30.0) at 5-years. Probability of survival (OS) of the whole population at 1, 3 and 5 years was respectively: 75% (95%CI 73.0-76.9), 62% (95%CI 58.0-65.8), and 57% (95%CI 55.0-58.9). Event free survival (EFS) was 64% (95%CI 48.0-56.9) at 1 year, 53% at 3 years (95%CI 49.1-56.9) and 50% at 5 years (95%CI 48.0-52.0). Global classical GRFS was 71% (95%CI, 69.0-72.9) at 1 years, 52% (95%CI 48.1-55.9) at 3 years and 35% (95%CI 31.2-39.0) at 5 years, whereas refined GRFS was 71% (95%CI, 69.0-72.9), 53% (95%CI 49.1-56.9) and 38% (95%CI 34.2-42.0) at 1, 3, and 5 years respectively. Six hundred twenty-eight subjects were censored by classical GRFS whereas 546 patients have been identified as reporting at last one event according to refined GRFS. Chronic GVHD and relapse represented the major components of classical GRFS (35.7 and 35.2% respectively) whereas relapse (40.5%) and III-IV acute GVHD (25.6%) were major constituents of refined GRFS (Figure 2). According both definitions several risk factors were identified in univariate and multivariate analysis. Particularly, transplants performed after 2010, diagnosis of acute leukemia and RIC regimens had a significant impact on survival without GVHD and relapse (both in classical and in refined GRFS) whereas age, stem cell source, disease risk group (identified as influencing factors in univariate analysis) did not impacted on GRFS in multivariate model. Transplants from non-matched unrelated donors showed a significant impact only on classical GRFS in COX regression. The multivariable c-statistics were 0.609 for classical and 0.614 for refined GRFS.Our data support the use of both composite endpoints to describe HSCT outcomes. Classical GRFS could represent the ideal endpoint following HSCT in prospective setting, whereas refined GRFS could be used as good surrogate of GRFS in retrospective studies. However, attention need to be paid concerning the use of refined indicator because of the risk of underestimation of censored events, since it may not reflect the real impact of chronic GVHD on population in study. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPeffault De Latour:Amgen: Research Funding; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Socié:Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy.

Seismic performance evaluation of CFS strap-braced buildings through experimental tests

Lightweight steel (LWS) buildings, made of cold-formed steel (CFS) systems, have many advantages and are often employed in seismic areas as low- and medium rise buildings. However, in Europe the codification does not provide specific rules for seismic design of those structures. In light of this, the University of Naples “Federico II” has recently completed a research project in cooperation with Lamieredil S.p.A. Italian Company, aimed to investigate the seismic behaviour of non-dissipative strap-braced structures. The partnership between academia and industry also led to development of a patented system. This paper discusses the selection and design process of the case study buildings and the overall experimental activity, going from small-scale tests of components, to static tests of full-scale walls, up to shake-table tests of two reduced scale mock-ups, which differ only for the adopted floor typology. The influence of floor typology on the seismic response of CFS strap-braced structures is also provided. Tests results confirmed that, although no specific seismic rules were employed, strap-braced structures had a good seismic response achieving high inter-storey drifts without showing severe damages.

Frammenti di Cina

Publisher: UniorPress Series: Quaderni delle Collezioni Museali de “L’Orientale” Pages: 166 Language: Italiano NBN: http://nbn.depositolegale.it/resolver.pl?nbn=urn:nbn:it:unina-27448 Abstract: The volume “Fragments of China” is dedicated to the Chinese section of the ‘Umberto Scerrato’ Oriental Museum of the University of Naples “L’Orientale”. It includes essays by various scholars who examine and explore topics related to the objects on display in the museum, from porcelain (Caterina) to sculpture (Visconti), from funerary art (Montella) to painting (Macri) and calligraphy (Amitrano). The Chinese section is enriched by a unique specimen, a large map of China made by Matteo Ripa and kept at the Orientale since the foundation of the Collegio dei Cinesi (Muzzupappa).

The Role of Regulatory Agencies in Agenda-Setting Processes: Insights from the Italian Response to the COVID-19 Infodemic.

International organizations such as the WHO have worked to raise awareness of the massive infodemic that accompanied the COVID‐19 outbreak and made it hard for people to find trustworthy sources of information and reliable guidance for their decisions. Our contribution focuses on the Italian case, where the Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) was able to act as first mover in its field so as to strategically frame the problem of disinformation in the absence of a pre‐existing policy intervention. An emerging body of research shows that the activity of formally independent regulators is not necessarily limited to the implementation of delegated regulatory competencies. We discuss the implications of the activity of independent regulators for the fight against disinformation during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We find that as a political actor in its own right, the Italian media regulator claimed control over sectoral expertise in order to shape the crucial first steps of the response to the infodemic.