Automatic Relative Radiometric Normalization of Bi-Temporal Satellite Images Using a Coarse-to-Fine Pseudo-Invariant Features Selection and Fuzzy Int…

2022

Relative radiometric normalization (RRN) is important for pre-processing and analyzing multitemporal remote sensing (RS) images. Multitemporal RS images usually include different land use/land cover (LULC) types; therefore, considering an identical linear relationship during RRN modeling may result in potential errors in the RRN results. To resolve this issue, we proposed a new automatic RRN technique that efficiently selects the clustered pseudo-invariant features (PIFs) through a coarse-to-fine strategy and uses them in a fusion-based RRN modeling approach. In the coarse stage, an efficient difference index was first generated from the down-sampled reference and target images by combining…

Management of Acute Kidney Injury and Extracorporeal Blood Purification Therapies During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Italian SIN–SIAARTI Joint Survey …

2022

Background and AimThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 remains challenging. A large number of hospitalized patients are at a high risk of developing AKI. For this reason, we conducted a nationwide survey to assess the incidence and management of AKI in critically ill patients affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsThis is a multicenter, observational, nationwide online survey, involving the Italian Society of Nephrology and the critical care units in Italy, developed in partnership between the scientific societies such as SIN and SIAARTI. Invitations to participate were distributed through emails and social networks. Data were collected for a period of 1 week during the COVID-19 pandemic…

The Relationship between Subjective Risk Intelligence and Courage with Working Performance: The Potential Mediating Effect of Workplace Social Courage

2022

Background: There is a growing attention toward the construct of courage from a psychological point of view; recently, courage has been related with numerous positive individual behaviors and outcomes, such as coping strategies and subjective wellbeing, and an increasing number of studies explore the role of courage in the working and organizational environments. The present study is aimed to analyze the effect that individual courage—together with risk intelligence—and workplace social courage have on working performance; Methods: The participants are 961 Italian workers, balanced by gender; the measures used are: Courage, Subjective Risk Intelligence Scale, Workplace Social Courage Scale,…

COVID-19 Lessons and Post-pandemic Recovery: A Case of Latvia.

2022

The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME “LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE” project “CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005).

“It is really just brilliant to get credits for something that is so important to you!” Skills for Life: University students’ perceptions of a planne…

2022

Objective Universities have a role in educating and empowering students to become healthy and literate citizens of the 21st century society. The aim of this study was to explore university students’ perceptions regarding the relevance and utility of a planned dietary life skills course. Design Qualitative design including focus group discussions. Setting A Norwegian university with participating undergraduate students from seven different disciplines. Method Data collection included 13 semi-structured focus group discussions involving 57 university students (35 women and 22 men aged 18–38 years). The focus group discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. To ensure in-depth knowled…

Development and implementation of the AIDA international registry for patients with Still's disease

2022

ObjectiveAim of this paper is to present the design, construction, and modalities of dissemination of the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry for patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), which are the pediatric and adult forms of the same autoinflammatory disorder.MethodsThis Registry is a clinical, physician-driven, population- and electronic-based instrument implemented for the retrospective and prospective collection of real-world data. The collection of data is based on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool and is intended to obtain evidence drawn from routine patients' management. The co…

On the occurrence of the invasive Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun 1896 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) in Sicilian inland waters

2022

The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 is included among the worst invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, we report the finding of the species in two Sicilian rivers, the Irminio and the Imera Meridionale, where it was collected up to 6 km from the river mouths. Although several records of the species are already available from Italy, this is the first evidence of the occurrence of this invasive crab so far from the coastline in the whole country. In the light of the well-known impact of the Atlantic blue crab on the invaded water bodies, the monitoring of the species and appropriate mitigation strategies should be implemented in order to protect the threat…

STAT1 and Its Crucial Role in the Control of Viral Infections

2022

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 protein plays a key role in the immune response against viruses and other pathogens by transducing, in the nucleus, the signal from type I, type II and type III IFNs. STAT1 activates the transcription of hundreds of genes, some of which have been well characterized for their antiviral properties. STAT1 gene deletion in mice and complete STAT1 deficiency in humans both cause rapid death from severe infections. STAT1 plays a key role in the immunoglobulin class-switch recombination through the upregulation of T-bet; it also plays a key role in the production of T-bet+ memory B cells that contribute to tissue-resident humoral memory…

Spinal Cord Stimulation to Treat Unresponsive Cancer Pain: A Possible Solution in Palliative Oncological Therapy

2022

(1) Background: Treatment of cancer-related pain is still challenging, and it can be managed by both medical and interventional therapies. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a minimally invasive technique, and its use is rapidly increasing in the treatment of chronic pain. (2) Materials and Methods: Our study aims to perform a review of the pertinent literature about current evidences in cancer pain treatment by Spinal Cord Stimulation. Moreover, we created a database based on case reports or case series (18 studies) in the literature. We analyzed a clinical group of oncological patients affected by intractable pain undergoing SCS implantation, focusing on outcome. (3) Results: The analysis o…

New re-bordering left them alone and neglected: Czech cross-border commuters in German-Czech borderland

2022

The article focuses on the impact of the new re-bordering, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, on the functional, ideational and institutional dimension of cross-border integration, as perceived by the Czech cross-border commuters employed on the German side of the Euroregion Elbe Labe. The interviews with forty cross-commuters showed that they were left alone in these times of re-bordering and became victims of non-coordination between Czechia and Germany. Yet, cross-border commuting seems to have survived the first pandemic waves and the German labour market will continue to attract the Czech workforce despite that fact the pandemic has introduced a major uncertainty associated with the bord…

Archaeometric Study of Two Tanagra Type Statuettes of Unknown Provenance to Support Forensic Study

2022

This paper is concerned with a morphological-stylistic and archaeometric study of two small pottery statues, confiscated by the Cosenza Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Anti-Counterfeiting (Calabria, Italy). The research aimed to establish the authenticity of the artworks and to verify a possible origin from the same workshop manufacturing, by providing indications about the textural features and raw materials used for their production. For these purposes, the analytical approach involved the use of minero-petrographic and physical analysis, as follows: petrographic analysis (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermoluminescence tests (TL). The preliminary observat…

A Numerical Study to Predict the Mechanical Response of FRCM Composites

2022

Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) materials are increasingly common for strengthening existing masonry structures. Their popularity is due to their many advantages with respect to resin-based composites, especially when applied to stone supports. The constitutive behaviour of FRCM materials is defined by the combination of their tensile response and the bond behaviour with the masonry support, both depending on complex stress transfer mechanisms between matrix and fabric, especially in the post-cracking stage. This paper presents a numerical study which aims to predict the mechanical behaviour of FRCM systems through simple 2D models of truss elements and non-linear springs to si…

Competitive Profiling of Ligandable Cysteines in Staphylococcus aureus with an Organogold Compound

2022

With the idea of exploiting metal-templated reactions to achieve selective modification of cysteines in proteins for antibacterial applications, an organometallic cyclometalated Au(III) compound was explored in a competitive chemoproteomic approach based on the isoDTB-ABPP (isotopically labelled desthiobiotin azide-activity-based protein profiling) technology in S. aureus cell extracts. In this way, more than 100 ligandable cysteines where identified, of which 10 were close to functional sites of proteins encoded by essential genes indicating potential for antibiotic development. Interestingly, more than 50% of the identified ligandable sites were not engaged by organic α-chloroacetamides i…

Modelling of FRP and FRCM-Confined Masonry Columns: Critical Review for Design and Intervention Strategies

2022

This paper presents a critical review of the most established analytical models for the prediction of the compressive strength of FRP and FRCM-confined masonry columns. In particular, two types of fibres are analysed, i.e. glass and basalt. A wide dataset available in the literature is used for the application of the analytical models and for the development of parametric analyses useful for the critical comparison of FRP vs. FRCM confinement technique and glass vs. basalt fibres to be adopted as reinforcement of masonry substrate. The effects of stiffness and strength of the reinforcement, the number of reinforcing layers, the compressive strength of masonry and the cross-section shape are…

On the perception of leaf morphology and visible light by Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acariformes, Tetranychidae)

2022

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is one of the most polyphagous and most damaging pests worldwide. The behaviour of the mite differs on its various host plants and this could influence crop defence strategies. We investigated the perception of leaf morphology by T. urticae in relation to the effects of visible light on the selection of sites on which females prefer to live and feed. Mite females chose the shaded surface when smooth and glabrous lemon leaves were offered as a surface for living and feeding, showing a photophobic behaviour. However, they clearly preferred the abaxial surface of bean leaves regardless of the presence or absence of visible light. As no difference…

Pain Prevalence in two Italian Hospitals. An observational study.

2022

Introduction: Pain is the most common and distressing medical symptom in hospitalized patients in all wards. Pain prevalence among hospitalized patients is an indicator of the quality of health care. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe pain prevalence in two Italian hospitals. Material and method: This is an observational study. It involved hospitalized patients of both sexes, able and unable to self-report. Descriptive analysis and multivariate analysis were applied. Results: A sample of 754 inpatients were included. In Terni Ho-spital (n = 255), pain prevalence was 80.8%. The mean pain severity was 5.2 (sd ± 3.33). At Rome's San Camillo Hospital (n=499), pain prevalence was 46…

Which Role for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene? A Retrospective Study.

2022

PurposeIn Fournier's gangrene, surgical debridement plus antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment but can cause a great loss of tissue. The disease needs long hospital stays and, despite all, has a high mortality rate. The aim of our study is to investigate if factors, such as hyperbaric therapy, can offer an improvement in prognosis.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated data on 23 consecutive patients admitted for Fournier's gangrene at the University Hospital “P. Giaccone” of Palermo from 2011 to 2018. Factors related to length of hospital stay and mortality were examined.ResultsMortality occurred in three patients (13.1%) and was correlated with the delay between admission and su…

Inter-laboratory differences in the apparent quantum yield for the photochemical production of dissolved inorganic carbon in inland waters and implic…

2022

Solar radiation initiates photochemical oxidation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in inland waters, contributing to their carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Models can determine photochemical DIC production over large spatiotemporal scales and assess its role in aquatic C cycling. The apparent quantum yield (AQY) spectrum for photochemical DIC production, defined as mol DIC produced per mol chromophoric dissolved organic matter-absorbed photons, is a critical model parameter. In previous studies, the principle for the determination of AQY spectra is the same but methodological specifics differ, and the extent to which these differences influenc…

Epoxidation vs. dehydrogenation of allylic alcohols: heterogenization of the VO(acac)2 catalyst in a metal–organic framework

2022

Allylic alcohol epoxidation and dehydrogenation reactivity is distinguished when VO(acac)2 is used in solution or anchored in a metal–organic framework (MOF). The chemical mechanism depends on the electronic profile of alkene substituents when the vanadyl complex is used in the homogenous phase. However, confinement effects imparted by MOF channels allow gaining control of the chemoselectivity toward the dehydrogenation product.

Visual Methodologies and Geography's education in the pandemic time: notes on geopolitics of migration in the "Mediterranean Complex"

2022

<abstract> <p>The relationship between Geography and the Visual has always been strong intertwined. As it is true that Geography has always operates through images (in the form of pictures, creative representations and above all cartographies), in the last two years, with the distance learning due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, this phenomenon has not only increased, but it also became necessary. "The classroom as the most radical space", in the words of bell hooks, had to turn into a virtual space, where images have a fundamental role in the teaching/learning process. This paper wants to analyse the relationship between Geography and the Visual by analysing three image…

Left Ventricle Biomechanics of Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis: A Patient-Specific Computational Model

2022

This study aimed to create an imaging-derived patient-specific computational model of low-flow, low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS) to obtain biomechanics data about the left ventricle. LFLG AS is now a commonly recognized sub-type of aortic stenosis. There remains much controversy over its management, and investigation into ventricular biomechanics may elucidate pathophysiology and better identify patients for valve replacement. ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography images from a patient with LFLG AS were obtained to provide patient-specific geometry for the computational model. Surfaces of the left atrium, left ventricle (LV), and outflow track were segmented. A previously validated …

Latviešu studentu korporācijas Tervetia krāsu deķelis

2022

Raksts tapis par godu latviešu studentu korporācijas "Tervetia" Simtgadei 30.04.2022, kas veltīts vienai no tās regālijām - krāsu deķelim. Tiek aprakstīta krāsu deķeļa saglabāšana Latvijas Universitātes Muzejā, tā simboliskā nozīme un pieejamība sabiedrībai. Tiek skaidrots arī paša krāsu deķeļa izmantošanas reglaments, ko ikdienā ievēro pašas studentu korporācija biedri.

Experts’ Opinion for Improving Pertussis Vaccination Rates in Adolescents and Adults: A Call to Action

2022

This article highlights the importance of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (with reduced antigen content, dTap) vaccination in preventing pertussis, a respiratory infection that is still widespread and easily transmitted. In particular, it highlights the need to receive a booster vaccination throughout life to maintain high antibody levels, which decrease through time. This document collects the opinions that emerged from the comparison between major Italian experts in the field of vaccination. This working group was created to promote a “call to action”, aimed at raising awareness among all institutions, public health authorities, and health workers involved in the vaccination proces…

Metabolic Profile in a Cohort of Young Sicilian Patients with Klinefelter’s Syndrome: The Role of Irisin

2022

Klinefelter’s syndrome (KS) is the main cause of hypogonadism and infertility in men and is often related to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. The purpose of our real-life observational study was to investigate the metabolic and anthropometric parameters in a population of patients with Klinefelter syndrome compared to a group of healthy age-matched subjects. Methods. In our study, 25 consecutive Caucasian adult outpatients (age range 21–52 years, mean age 32.9 ± 12.2) with KS in testosterone replacement therapy and 30 healthy men (age range 25–45 years, mean age 32.4 ± 7.62) were studied. In both groups of subjects, anthropometric indices, lipid profile, glucose metabolic paramete…

Efficacy and Safety of Subthreshold Micropulse Yellow Laser for Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema After Vitrectomy: A Pilot Study

2022

Aim: To examine the effect of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (SMYL) on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) changes in eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for tractional DME (TDME).Patients and Methods: In a comparative study, 95 eyes of 95 consecutive patients with persistent DME were prospectively enrolled. The SMYL group (54 eyes) was treated with SMYL 6 months after PPV, while the control group (41 eyes) was followed up without treatment. BCVA and CMT by OCT were analyzed at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Additionally, parameters such as the vessel de…

Hydrocarbons removal from real marine sediments: Analysis of degradation pathways and microbial community development during bioslurry treatment

2022

In this study, real marine sediments polluted by petroleum compounds were treated by means of a bioslurry pilot scale reactor. The treatment performance was evaluated by measuring the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), coupled to further analyses required to understand the mechanisms involved in the biodegradation process. The maximum TPH-removal efficiency reached 86 % at the end of experiments. Moreover, high throughput 16S RNA gene sequencing was used to describe the microbiome composition in sediment prior to, and after, bioslurry treatment, in order to identify the taxa mostly entailed in the TPH removal process. The raw sediment was mostly colonized by members of Sulfurimon…

CNIDARIAN JELLYFISH AS A NEW FOOD SOURCE. A TOOL TO CHANGE A PROBLEM TOWARDS A RESOURCE?

2022

Oxygen Vacancy Formation and Migration within the Antiphase Boundaries in Lanthanum Scandate-Based Oxides: Computational Study.

2022

The study was performed with the financial support from the Latvian Council of Science under the grant agreement LZP-2020/2-0009. Calculations were performed at the HLRS, University of Stuttgart, within the project 12939 DEFTD. The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (Latvia), as the Centre of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Frame-work Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-Teaming Phase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2.

Effect of fall direction on the lower hip fracture risk in athletes with different loading histories : A finite element modeling study in multiple si…

2022

Physical loading makes bones stronger through structural adaptation. Finding effective modes of exercise to improve proximal femur strength has the potential to decrease hip fracture risk. Previous proximal femur finite element (FE) modeling studies have indicated that the loading history comprising impact exercises is associated with substantially higher fracture load. However, those results were limited only to one specified fall direction. It remains thus unclear whether exercise-induced higher fracture load depends on the fall direction. To address this, using magnetic resonance images of proximal femora from 91 female athletes (mean age 24.7 years with >8 years competitive career) and …

Stato di emergenza e legalità costituzionale alla prova della pandemia

2022

The need to outline a satisfactory relationship between emergency and constitutional legality has accompanied the evolution of public law, posing questions that are not fully resolved. The debate on the issue is back in vogue with the pandemic emergency, in relation to the issues related to containment measures. The paper traces the related matter, also in light of the interpretation offered by the judgments that the Constitutional Court has pronounced, in particular in relation to the territorial balance of emergency powers and the system of sources of law.

Pianificazione per la conservazione della diversità dei progenitori selvatici delle piante coltivate e delle piante selvatiche raccolte in natura

2022

Le piante selvatiche raccolte in natura (Wild Harvested Plants - WHP) e i progenitori selvatici delle colture (Crop Wild Relatives - CWR), note collettivamente come “Risorse fitogenetiche” (PGR), rivestono molteplici ruoli di rilevanza ecologica, ambientale e socioeconomica perché ad essi si correlano numerosi usi diretti e indiretti, ma anche perché costituiscono un serbatoio di caratteri genetici potenzialmente utili per il miglioramento genetico delle piante coltivate. Ciò rende prioritaria la messa a punto di appropriate strategie di conservazione e valorizzazione. Nella presente tesi vengono presentate le attività che hanno portato alla elaborazione di due inventari delle CWR e delle W…

Employee Creativity in Coworking Spaces: Towards a Conceptual Framework

2022

Creative performance of knowledge workers outside the traditional office setting has become highly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prepandemic trend of companies using coworking spaces as an alternative workplace arrangement is expected to grow further. One important driver is that these collaborative workspaces are considered effective facilitators of creativity and innovation. The aim of this study is to fill a research gap by examining how corporate coworking may foster employee creativity, crucial for firm´s competitiveness and long-term survival. A systematic review of the coworking literature is conducted to critically evaluate employee creativity in coworking spaces. Struc…

BMC Public Health

2022

Background In the past decades, climate change has been impacting human lives and health via extreme weather and climate events and alterations in labour capacity, food security, and the prevalence and geographical distribution of infectious diseases across the globe. Climate change and health indicators (CCHIs) are workable tools designed to capture the complex set of interdependent interactions through which climate change is affecting human health. Since 2015, a novel sub-set of CCHIs, focusing on climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability indicators (CCIEVIs) has been developed, refined, and integrated by Working Group 1 of the “Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health an…

Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide as first-line therapy in elderly women with HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer.

2022

Background. The use of anthracyclines in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is limited by cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity mostly in elderly women with comorbidities. The aim of this observational retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Myocet®) and cyclophosphamide in elderly women as HER2 negative first-line MBC treatment. Methods. 84 elderly women >70 years of age (median age 78 years) with MBC HER2 negative were enrolled. Performance Status in 58 patients was ECOG-0 and in 26 patients was ECOG-1. Results. The drug was well tolerated, with overall response rates were >40%, median overall survival was 16.2 months (95%CI:14.6- 18.8…

Body-axis organization in tetrapods: a model-system to disentangle the developmental origins of convergent evolution in deep time

2022

Convergent evolution is a central concept in evolutionary theory but the underlying mechanism has been largely debated since On the Origin of Species . Previous hypotheses predict that developmental constraints make some morphologies more likely to arise than others and natural selection discards those of the lowest fitness. However, the quantification of the role and strength of natural selection and developmental constraint in shaping convergent phenotypes on macroevolutionary timescales is challenging because the information regarding performance and development is not directly available. Accordingly, current knowledge of how embryonic development and natural selection drive phenotypic …

The Effects of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Bamboo Extract (Bambusa vulgaris) and Lactic Acid on Sebum Production in Young Women with Acne Vulgaris…

2022

People struggling with acne vulgaris, not only experience skin eruptions and skin pain, but also report that their quality of life is worse compared with healthy people. This study examined, for the first time, the effect of sonophoresis on select skin parameters (sebum level) in young women suffering from acne vulgaris. The study included 60 women 19–23 years of age (M = 21.45, SD = 0.91) with mild and moderate facial acne. The inclusion criteria were 19–23 years of age, female or male gender, mild to moderate acne, no dermatological treatment within last 12 months, and no hormonal contraception (women). No men volunteered for the study, so the group was homogeneous. The patients were divi…