33145 research outputs found
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Potential application of precision technology to monitor welfare and interactions of cage-farmed fish with wild fish species
No full textDuring the recent years, the concept of sustainability in aquaculture has increased its popularity and interest in it. In this background, especially for the marine cages, the interactions between fish reared and wild fish can affect welfare and health status of both farmed and wild fish populations in the ecosystem [1]. The presence of farmed fish in cages can increase competition for food between wild and farmed fish, as they share the same marine environment. The presence of fish-eating birds and/or pelagic fish predators, as tuna and bluefish, can
cause stress and damage to farmed fish populations [2,3]. Good management practices and environmental control are needed to monitor these interactions. Fish farmers are looking for reducing negative impacts through cage placement, waste management and fish welfare monitoring. In this scenario, this study is performed to evaluate growth performance and welfare status of reared fish in offshore cages and the possible interactions with wild fish, observed in aggregation near the cages. For the aim of the study, a non-invasive device, a precision technology system of video cameras and water quality sensors, is employed in an offshore cage aquaculture plant, located in the Gulf of Manfredonia (Puglia region), specialized in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farming, according to the IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) system. This precision technology system is installed thanks to FishVision research project, supported by
Agritech. This grant is equipping two farming cages (1/sea bream and 1/sea bass). The video monitoring consists in three cameras positioned inside the cage. Two stereoscopic cameras are synchronized for 3D analysis and another camera is placed in the opposite direction of the others, towards the outside of the net cage (Figure 1). The video streams are 10 sec long and with 3 frames; consequently, they are stored in in HEVC (high-efficiency video encoding) files format, to be sent via network to a repository. A thermal camera is pointed towards the farm area to record marine currents. Water quality is monitored by means of sensors to determine the most important physico-chemical
parameters. A platform connected to the repository is created to collect data. Zootechnical performances and histological liver status are evaluated to show physio-pathological patterns and behaviour of farmed fish in presence of wild fish, in relation to farming technique and water quality trend. Based on this study, precision digital system allows to monitor the behaviour of reared fish in presence of wild fish and helps the fish farmers to predict the measures to take in order to manage this problematic interaction
Advances in Noncontact Measurement of Wound Area Using an Application for Smart Mobile Devices
No full textOBJECTIVE: Contactless wound size measurement is an important element for monitoring the wound healing process and the effects of treatment both in people and animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metrologic performances of a contactless digital planimetry app (imitoMeasure, Imito AG) for cutaneous wound area measurement. METHODS: Precision, accuracy, agreement, and reliability of six different combinations of smart devices (smartphone or tablet), calibration modes (manual mode or marker mode), and tracing modes (manual finger tracing or digital pencil tracing) were tested and compared with the standard method on already known canine wound area shapes traced on transparent sheets. RESULTS: Using the app, all methods showed an acceptable metrologic performance. Methods using a tablet were more precise, accurate, and reliable compared with a smartphone. Calibration marker mode was faster than manual calibration. Methods using pencil tracing were more accurate than manual finger tracing, showed a higher agreement with the standard method, and needed fewer retouching-ups to obtain fine-tuning of the shape. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributed to the advancement of noncontact wound area measurement using smart digital mobile devices, identifying the most suitable method to use the imitoMeasure app in clinical and research settings. The imitoMeasure app showed excellent metrologic characteristics in contactless wound area measurement. The evidence indicates that the use of the tablet with digital pencil tracing is a noteworthy improvement in the wound measurement process
Double-Brønsted acidic deep eutectic solvents and their applications as solvents and catalysts in chemical transformations
No full textThe number of novel Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) liquids reported in literature is increasing in recent years thanks to the high number of H-bond capable molecules that possess the features to give stable liquids when mixed in binary systems. In this work a predictive approach based on the theoretical melting curves crossing points was used to generate a novel class of DESs: double Brønsted-acidic DESs. These liquids were identified as DESs thanks to the comparison of the experimental melting points with the theoretical curves and with ionic conductivity measures. Considering that the catalytic properties of the DESs are correlated with the properties of the forming molecules, the novel DESs were tested as acidic reaction media in model reactions. In the Claisen-Schmidt transformation, the double-acidic DESs gave excellent results. The indole synthesis from alkynes involved for the first time to our knowledge the use of simple Brønsted-acid catalysis without any metal or any other catalyst
A.M.A.R.E. Atlante delle Migrazioni_Attraversamenti e Radicamenti Europei
No full textL'opera, esposta alla Biennale di Venezia 2025 nella sezione Intelligenza Collettiva delle Corderie, illustra una ricerca interuniversitaria sulle diverse forme di spazializzazione delle migrazioni nel continente europeo, quale fenomeno non solo emergenziale, ma strutturale e determinante nelle trasfromazioni urbane e territorial
Influence of calcination temperature on the physicochemical properties of atomic/molecular layer deposited hybrid inorganic/organic ceramic nanofiltration membranes
No full textPost-deposition calcination in the air of hybrid inorganic/organic layers is considered to remove the organic constituents and completely create a full inorganic membrane. This study aims to investigate to what extent such a removal occurs and the effect of remaining organic constituents on the physicochemical properties of the membrane layer. Three hybrid layers were deposited using trimethylaluminum, two aliphatic- (ethylene glycol and 1,6-hexanediol) and one aromatic alcohol (hydroquinone). The effects of the different calcination treatments on the physicochemical properties were investigated. Differential thermogravimetric analysis established that the maximum mass loss rate temperatures for the hybrid layers grown from the aliphatic alcohols are lower than those from the aromatic co-reactant. After 250 degrees C, water contact angles (WCAs) were between 46 degrees - 92 degrees and IR spectroscopy and XPS showed the presence of carbon. Calcination at 350 degrees C reduced the WCA to 0 degrees - 25 degrees and decreased carbon content
The Impact of Telemedicine Technologies on Brain Small Vessel Disease and Ethical Concerns
No full textThere are multiple conditions that affect arterioles, capillaries, and small veins that supply the white matter and deep structures of the brain, as defined by small vessel disease (SVD). Stroke, cognitive decline, and vascular dementia are all risks that come with SVD and lacunar infarcts. Effective treatment strategies, timely detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies are essential for managing these conditions. The use of telemedicine technologies has become a significant tool in the control and management of SVD, offering innovative solutions to overcome geographical barriers, enhance access to specialized care, and optimize patient outcomes. An in-depth exploration of the use of telemedicine technologies in the context of SVD of the brain is provided in this chapter. The introduction begins with a discussion of the underlying pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of these conditions, emphasizing their impact on patient health and well-being. Early detection and intervention are necessary to reduce the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment caused by vascular origin, which we also emphasize. In the following sections, the focus is on the role of telemedicine in controlling SVD and the legal and ethical implications of gathering and processing sensitive patient health data, with a focus on addressing data privacy and security challenges. The use of remote monitoring systems allows healthcare professionals to collect and analyze real-time physiological data, including blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose levels, assisting in the early detection of vascular changes. Patients can communicate with neurologists and other specialists remotely through teleconsultation platforms, resulting in regular follow-ups, medication adjustments, and lifestyle interventions
Einstein manifolds with optical geometries of Kerr type
No full textWe classify the Ricci flat Lorentzian n-manifolds satisfying three particular conditions, encoding and combining some crucial features of the Kerr metrics and the Robinson-Trautman optical structures. We prove that: (a) If n > 4, there is no Lorentzian manifold satisfying the considered Kerr type conditions, in unexpected contrast with what occurs for the metrics satisfying (very similar) Taub-NUT type conditions; (b) If n = 4 there are two large classes of such Kerr type manifolds. Each class consists of manifolds fibering over open Riemann surfaces, equipped with a metric of constant Gaussian curvature x = 1 or x =-1. The first class includes a three parameter family of metrics admitting real analytic extensions to (R^3 \ {0}) x R = ( S^2 x R_+) x R and a large class of other metrics not admitting this kind of extensions. The metrics of this first class admitting such extensions are all isometric to the well known Kerr metrics, with the three parameters corresponding to the three space-like components of the angular momentum of the gravitational field. The second class contains a subclass of metrics defined on (DxR_+)xR, where D is the Lobachevsky-Poincarè disc. This subclass is in bijection with the holomorphic functions on D satisfying an appropriate open condition. These and other results are consequences of a very simple way to construct totally explicit examples of Ricci flat Lorentzian manifolds
The Integration of a Multidomain Monitoring Platform with Structural Data: A Building Case Study
No full textIn recent years, innovative Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques, applicable for the assessment of existing civil structures, have become available for in situ analysis on Reinforced Concrete (RC) and masonry structures, but they are still not established for regular inspections, especially after seismic events. The damage assessment of RC buildings after seismic events is a very relevant issue in Italy, where most of the structures built in the last 50 years are RC structures. Furthermore, there is also a growing interest in being able to monitor structural health aspects by storing them on the building’s digital twin. For these reasons, it is necessary to develop an affordable and ready-to-use NDT procedure that provides more accurate indications on the real state of damage of reinforced concrete buildings after seismic events and to integrate these data into an interoperable digital twin for automated, optimized building performance monitoring, management, and preventive maintenance. To this end, a case study was conducted on a building in the Marche region in Italy, damaged by the 2016 earthquake. Non-destructive tests were performed and inserted into the LIS platform for the creation of a digital twin of the building. This platform seamlessly manages, visualizes, and analyzes the collected data and integrates various sensor nodes deployed throughout the building. The paper also presents a methodology to simplify the work of the test operator and make the entire process of knowledge of the building faster and more sustainable through a QR-code interface
