The evolution of coastal and transitional environments depends upon the interplay of human activities and natural drivers, two factors that are strongly connected and many times conflicting. The urge ...for efficient tools for characterising and predicting the behaviour of such systems is nowadays particularly pressing, especially under the effects of a changing climate, and requires a deeper understanding of the connections among different drivers and different scales. To this aim, the present paper reviews the results of a set of interdisciplinary and coordinated experiences carried out in the Adriatic Sea (north-eastern Mediterranean region), discussing state-of-the art methods for coastal dynamics assessment and monitoring, and suggests strategies towards a more efficient coastal management. Coupled with detailed geomorphological information, the methodologies currently available for evaluating the different components of relative sea level rise facilitate a first identification of the flooding hazard in coastal areas, providing a fundamental element for the prioritization and identification of the sustainability of possible interventions and policies. In addition, hydro- and morpho-dynamic models are achieving significant advances in terms of spatial resolution and physical insight, also in a climatological context, improving the description of the interactions between meteooceanographic processes at the regional scale to coastal dynamics at the local scale. We point out that a coordinated use of the described tools should be promptly promoted in the design of survey and monitoring activities as well as in the exploitation of already collected data. Moreover, expected benefits from this strategy include the production of services and infrastructures for coastal protection with a focus on short-term forecast and rapid response, enabling the implementation of an event-oriented sampling strategy.
► We present an application of Fuzzy Cognitive Map to support emergency decision making. ► We adopt semantic technologies to model geo-localized services, resources and skills. ► System performs ...resources discovery process according to the emergency features. ► We examine a case study in the emergency management area. ► The system enables Emergency Manager to select skills and resources available.
Emergency management requires a shared vision on everything that happens nearby the emergency zone and on the availability of resources enabling to face emergency situations. Specifically, emergency managers need to be concretely supported, by knowledge-based systems, to make critical decisions. This work introduces a framework that exploits Semantic Web technologies to harmonize heterogeneous data and soft computing methods in order to handle uncertainties and to model causal inference embedded into an emergency plan. In particular, the paper presents an approach based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) to support knowledge processing and resources discovery according to the emergency features.
Aim To assess the value of a single-phase dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) urography protocol with synchronous nephrographic–excretory phase enhancement and to calculate the potential dose ...reduction by omitting the unenhanced scan. Materials and methods Eighty-four patients referred for haematuria underwent CT urography using a protocol that included single-energy unenhanced and dual-energy contrast-enhanced with synchronous nephrographic–excretory phase scans. DECT-based images virtual unenhanced (VUE), weighted average, and colour-coded iodine overlay were reconstructed. Opacification degree by contrast media of the upper urinary tract, and image quality of virtual unenhanced images were independently evaluated using a four-point scale. The diagnostic accuracy in detecting urothelial tumours on DECT-based images was determined. The dose of a theoretical dual-phase single-energy protocol was obtained by multiplying the effective dose of the unenhanced single-energy acquisition by two. Radiation dose saving by omitting the unenhanced scan was calculated. Results The degree of opacification was scored as optimal or good in 86.9% of cases ( k = 0.72); VUE image quality was excellent or good in 83.3% of cases ( k = 0.82). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for urothelial tumours detection were 85.7, 98.6, 92.3, and 97.1%. Omission of the unenhanced scan led to a mean dose reduction of 42.7 ± 5%. Conclusion Single-phase DECT urography with synchronous nephrographic–excretory phase enhancement represents an accurate “all-in-one’’ approach with a radiation dose saving up to 45% compared with a standard dual-phase protocol.
Summary Invasive local procedures are often reported in clinical history of patients suffering from Bisphosphonates-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (BRONJ) but over 40% of spontaneous forms have ...been also described in literature. We compared age, gender, underlying bone disorders, bisphosphonate therapy, clinical features and surgical outcome of 205 cases (36.2%) of BRONJ non surgery-triggered (group 1) with 362 (63.8%) cases of surgery-triggered forms (group 2). Differences between group 1 and 2 were analysed using Mann-Whitney U and χ2 tests. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 8. Zoledronate was the most used type of bisphosphonate (63.4% versus 69.0%) and the mandible was the most frequently involved site (63.9% versus 63.4%) in both groups. BRONJ in group 1 was more frequently multicentric (9.3% versus 5%, p < 0.05), had a lower clinical stage (45.9% versus 13.8% in stage 1, p < 0.01) and had a better outcome after surgical therapy (improvement in 74.1% versus 58.6%, p < 0.05). The high prevalence of non surgery-triggered forms of BRONJ should be considered by oncologists, haematologists and general physicians who are advised to inform their patients regarding the importance of preventive dental protocols to control the possible causes of osteonecrosis not related to dental invasive procedures.
In the past decades, Italian hygienic requirements for dwellings have been modified by multiple derogations. Aim of the present work is to analyse the derogations introduced at a national, regional, ...and local level. The most important derogations were related to the habitable use of semi-basements and garrets, and building restoration. The paper also describes the regulations regarding indemnity for infringement of building abuses. The authors underline the need for more uniformity and clarity in the determination of health standards of dwellings, as well as for a simplification of the existing legislation.
Microvilli are defining morphological features of the apical surfaces in diverse epithelial tissues. To develop our understanding of microvillus biogenesis, we used a biotin proximity-labeling ...approach to uncover new molecules enriched near EPS8, a well-studied marker of the microvillus distal tip compartment. Mass spectrometry of biotinylated hits identified KIAA1671, a large (∼200 kDa), disordered, and previously uncharacterized protein. Based on immunofluorescent staining and expression of fluorescent protein-tagged constructs, we found that KIAA1671 localizes to the base of the brush border in native intestinal tissue and polarized epithelial-cell culture models, as well as dynamic actin-rich structures in unpolarized, nonepithelial cell types. Live imaging also revealed that during the early stages of microvillar growth, KIAA1671 colocalizes with EPS8 in diffraction-limited puncta. However, once elongation of the core bundle begins, these two factors separate, with EPS8 tracking the distal end and KIAA1671 remaining behind at the base of the structure. These results suggest that KIAA1671 cooperates with EPS8 and potentially other assembly factors to initiate growth of microvilli on the apical surface. These findings offer new details on how transporting epithelial cells builds the brush border and may inform our understanding of how apical specializations are assembled in other epithelial contexts.
PET/MR in neuro-oncology: is it ready for prime-time? Laudicella, Riccardo; Iagaru, A.; Minutoli, F. ...
Clinical and translational imaging : reviews in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging,
08/2020, Letnik:
8, Številka:
4
Journal Article
We quantified tobacco-, alcohol-, and drug-attributable deaths and their contribution to mortality disparities among homeless adults.
We ascertained causes of death among 28 033 adults seen at the ...Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 2003 to 2008. We calculated population-attributable fractions to estimate the proportion of deaths attributable to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use. We compared attributable mortality rates with those for Massachusetts adults using rate ratios and differences.
Of 1302 deaths, 236 were tobacco-attributable, 215 were alcohol-attributable, and 286 were drug-attributable. Fifty-two percent of deaths were attributable to any of these substances. In comparison with Massachusetts adults, tobacco-attributable mortality rates were 3 to 5 times higher, alcohol-attributable mortality rates were 6 to 10 times higher, and drug-attributable mortality rates were 8 to 17 times higher. Disparities in substance-attributable deaths accounted for 57% of the all-cause mortality gap between the homeless cohort and Massachusetts adults.
In this clinic-based cohort of homeless adults, over half of all deaths were substance-attributable, but this did not fully explain the mortality disparity with the general population. Interventions should address both addiction and non-addiction sources of excess mortality.
Abstract Background Frequency and severity of cardiac involvement in DM2 are still controversial. The aims of our study were to determine the frequency and progression of cardiac and muscle ...involvement in a relatively large cohort of patients with DM2 throughout Italy and Germany and to provide long-term outcomes in this disorder. Methods 104 DM2 and 117 DM1 patients underwent baseline and follow-up assessments of, ECG, 24 h Holter monitoring, 2D echocardiography and electrophysiological study (EPS) when appropriate, and manual muscle strength testing (mean follow-up: 7.4 ± 4.1 for DM2 and 5.7 ± 4 years for DM1). Results Overall, 10% of DM2 patients vs 31% of DM1 patients had PR ≥ 200 ms and 17% of DM2 patients vs 48% of DM1 patients had QRSD ≥ 100 ms. Six patients with DM2 vs 28 patients with DM1 required PM/ICD implantations. DM2 patients were stronger than DM1 patients at baseline, but muscle strength worsened significantly over time (p < 0.0001), just as in DM1, although at a slower annual rate. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that the frequency and severity of cardiac involvement and of muscle weakness are reduced in DM2 compared to DM1 and that progression is slower and less severe. Nonetheless, careful cardiac evaluation is recommended in this patient population to identify patients at risk for potential major cardiac arrhythmias.
We report on the newly discovered lava flow that erupted in the Colli Albani Volcanic District, which is the most recent and, geochemically the most peculiar effusive event recognised in the entire ...ultrapotassic Roman Province (Central Italy).
This lava flow is associated with the Monte Due Torri scoria cone, located approximately 5km south of the Albano hydromagmatic centre (69–36ka). The Monte Due Torri scoria cone displays well-preserved morphological characteristics and the 40±7ka age determined for the associated lava flow indicates that its activity was nearly contemporaneous to the most recent, explosive activity that occurred at the Albano centre from 41 to 36ka.
By comparing chemical and petrological features of the Monte Due Torri lava flow, Albano products, and older products (>69ka), we show that the youngest Colli Albani eruptions were fed by two new batches of parental magmas that originated in a phlogopite-bearing metasomatised mantle, each one feeding one of the two youngest eruptive cycles (at 69ka and 41–36ka). The trace element signature, e.g., very low Pb content, of primitive (MgO>3wt.%) magmas feeding the initiation of the hydromagmatic activity at Albano (69ka) and the subsequent effusive activity at Monte Due Torri (40ka) indicates that a magma chamber located in the deep anhydrite-bearing dolomite formation was tapped. However, the polygenic activity, the changes in magma composition, and the variable thermometamorphic clasts occurring in the hydromagmatic deposits (recording variable substrata) suggest, particularly for the Albano eruptive centre, a more complex plumbing system consisting of at least two more magma chambers at a shallower depth, i.e., in the Mesozoic limestone and Pliocene pelite formations.
The large amount of stratigraphic, volcanological, and geochemical data collected for the Colli Albani Volcanic District, one of the main districts in the ultrapotassic Roman Province, enable us to contribute insights into the still open debate regarding the temporal variation of the metasomatised mantle source of the Italian potassic magmas. Based on our data, i.e., variation of radiogenic and trace elements over time, we suggest that the observed variation in the mantle source of the ultrapotassic magmas can be related to progressive consumption of the phlogopite component in the metasomatised source rather than the transition from lithosphere- to asthenosphere-derived magmatism and/or the transition from orogenic to anorogenic magmatism.
► Time-dependent geochemical variations in ultrapotassic magmas. ► Phlogopite exhaustion in the metasomatised mantle. ► Dolomite assimilation increasing sulphur activity. ► Pb trough in the spider diagram.
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