Associazione della Croce Rossa Italiana

Externally bonded composite systems are commonly used for the structural strengthening of existing arched masonry structures. Textile-reinforced mortar systems applied to masonry arch intrados allow the load carrying capacity of the structure to be increased and the infrastructure to be kept in service during application of strengthening systems. The structural performance of mortar-based materials [i.e., fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM), textile-reinforced mortar (TRM), and steel-reinforced grout (SRG)] depends on the bond properties between the matrix and the substrate and between the matrix and the fibers. Also, when a strengthening system is applied to a concave masonry substrate, the additional stress component (normal to the substrate) at the matrix–substrate and matrix–fiber interface, due to the substrate curvature, negatively effects the stress-transfer mechanism between the strengthening system and the masonry substrate. In current engineering practice, spike anchors are generally used to improve bonding properties between the composite material and the substrate in order to reduce the negative effects of a strengthening system applied to a concave masonry/concrete substrate. In this paper, we report and discuss the results obtained from direct shear tests performed on an FRCM with a pozzolanic reaction on strengthened curved masonry specimens. In particular, the experimental campaign revealed the effects of spike anchors in the stress-transfer mechanism between the FRCM and the masonry substrate. The presence of spike anchors, as we determined, caused local effects that altered the stress-transfer mechanism. However, the maximum force obtained from single shear-lap tests on specimens with spike anchors was, on average, higher than that obtained from specimens without spike anchors.

Partner Notification (PN) processes are typically part of wider combination prevention efforts and focus on the notification of sexual partners to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including Human Immunodeficiency Viruses and viral hepatitis. We present a free, voluntary, anonymous and GDPR-compliant Partner Notification service that offers enhanced security and privacy through a web and mobile application via a unique random codes.

BackgroundThe HIV pandemic impacts the lives of millions and despite the global coordinated response, innovative actions are still needed to end it. A major challenge is the added burden of coinfections such as viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and various sexually transmitted infections in terms of prevention, treatment and increased morbidity in individuals with HIV infection. A need for combination prevention strategies, tailored to high-risk key populations arises and technology-based interventions can be a valuable asset. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the delivery of existing services and added stress to existing public health and clinical structures but also highlighted the potential of exploiting technical solutions for interventions regarding infectious diseases. In this paper we report the design process, results and evaluation findings from the pilots of ‘RiskRadar’—a web and mobile application aiming to support combination prevention, testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, various sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis.MethodsRiskRadar was developed for the INTEGRATE Joint Action’s aim to improve, adapt and pilot innovative digital tools for combination prevention. RiskRadar was designed iteratively using informed end-user-oriented approaches. Emphasis was placed on the Risk Calculator that enables users to assess their risk of exposure to one or more of the four disease areas, make informed decisions to seek testing or care and adjust their behaviours ultimately aiming to harm/risk reduction. RiskRadar has been piloted in three countries, namely Croatia, Italy and Lithuania.ResultsRiskRadar has been used 1347 times across all platforms so far. More than 90% of users have found RiskRadar useful and would use it again, especially the Risk Calculator component. Almost 49.25% are men and 29.85% are in the age group of 25–34. The application has scored 5.2/7 in the User Experience Questionnaire, where it is mainly described as “supportive” and “easy-to-use”. The qualitative evaluation of RiskRadar also yielded positive feedback.ConclusionsPilot results demonstrate above average satisfaction with RiskRadar and high user-reported usability scores, supporting the idea that technical interventions could significantly support combination prevention actions on Sexually Transmitted Infections.