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Comparative Analysis of International Regulations on Landslide Risk Assessment and Management for Bridges and Viaducts
No full textThe tragic collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy, in 2022 prompted the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to establish new guidelines focusing on the classification, management, safety assessments, and monitoring of bridges. The Italian guidelines present a multi-level and multi-risk approach, progressing through phases of increasing depth and complexity, aimed at standardizing the prioritization of interventions based on various risk categories: structural, seismic, landslide, and hydraulic risks.Across different countries, regulations for landslide risk assessment vary significantly. Some focus on hazard probabilities or specific triggering factors without addressing infrastructure interaction, while others concentrate solely on structural risk, neglecting geotechnical or landslide factors. Furthermore, certain regulatory frameworks prioritize landslide hazard assessment over susceptibility estimation, while others provide general inspection guidelines rather than regulations focused on comprehensive risk assessment. These differences are further reflected in the underlying parameters for risk evaluation, which vary across countries.This comparative study gives an insight on international regulations andprovides a detailed comparison between Italian, Chinese, and USA regulations, emphasizing the similarities and divergences between their approaches. The analysis of these international frameworks offers insights into the diverse strategies for managing bridge safety with reference to landslide events, facilitating the identification of best practices and effective methodologies for risk assessment in these complex interaction scenarios. Ultimately, this study contributes to the global discourse on infrastructure safety and maintenance, particularly in the context of landslide-structure interaction
Clinical presentation, predictive factors and management of patients with Nelson syndrome: a retrospective study
Get PDFBackground: Nelson syndrome (NS), or corticotroph tumor progression after bilateral adrenalectomy (CTP-BADX/NS), is a serious complication in patients with Cushing disease (CD) following BADX. Surgical tumor removal is the recommended treatment, though adjuvant therapies may be necessary. Aim of the study: To evaluate clinical, radiological, and hormonal features of CD patients after BADX, identify risk factors for CTP-BADX/NS and assessed treatment outcome and cardio-metabolic complications. Methods: Retrospective study of 30 patients (male/female: 9/21; median age at CD diagnosis: 33 years, IQR 27-42) who underwent BADX and had a minimum follow-up of 18 months. Data were collected at diagnosis and during follow-up (6, 24 months and last visit). Results: Over a median follow-up of 135 months, 9/30 patients (30%) developed NS, median 60 months after BADX. NS patients had earlier CD diagnosis and higher ACTH levels two years post-BADX [458 ng/L (IQR 245-723) vs. 146 ng/L (61-247), p = 0.020]. They also took lower fludrocortisone [0.05 mg/day vs. 0.1 mg/day, p = 0.001] and tended to use less hydrocortisone [20 mg/day [20-25] vs. 30 [25-30], p = 0.06]. Pre-BADX stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) was more frequent in non-NS patients (52% vs. 22%, p = 0.11). Hypertension was more common in NS patients (78% vs 43%), but diabetes less so (33% vs 48%). In the CTP-BADX group, 6/9 required pituitary surgery and/or radiotherapy; medical therapy was used in 5 patients with varied results. Conclusion: CTP-BADX/NS occurred in 30% of cases in our cohort. Higher ACTH post-BADX and younger age at CD onset may predict NS. No hormonal or radiological markers reliably predicted tumor progression. SRS before BADX and higher hydrocortisone doses might offer protection. Tumor control often needed a multimodal approach, with limited success from medical therapy alone
Selective inhibition of mitochondrial Kv1.3 prevents and alleviates multiple sclerosis in vivo
No full text: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by invasion of the brain by effector memory T (TEM) lymphocytes that have been activated by repeated auto-antigen stimulation. Existing therapies target these and other autoreactive lymphocytes but their side effects include general immunosuppression and toxicity. Because the Kv1.3 potassium channel is highly expressed by chronically activated autoreactive TEMs, we investigated whether specific targeting of mitochondrial Kv1.3 using the pharmacological inhibitor PAPTP could selectively kill these TEMs in patients and mice with MS. 1 μM PAPTP targeted and reduced the number of autoreactive TEMs in blood samples from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, leaving other T cell populations unaffected. Remarkably, pre-treatment of the entire T cell population with PAPTP during adoptive transfer of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) killed TEMs and completely prevented disease onset in this mouse model. Moreover, PAPTP selectively eliminated activated TEMs and halted EAE progression when administered following disease onset. Our findings reveal the potential of PAPTP as an effective treatment for MS without adverse side effects
From detection to action: Creating operational prescription maps for weed management using low-cost UAVs
No full textWeeds remain one of the leading constraints to sustainable agriculture, prompting widespread herbicide use that poses environmental and economic concerns. Precision agriculture, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing, offers a promising alternative by enabling site-specific weed management. However, despite their cost-effectiveness relative to ground-based systems and their growing technical feasibility, adoption rates in Italy remain below 10 %. This limited uptake stems from complex interrelated barriers: fragmented land ownership, generational divides, lack of awareness and trust in emerging technologies. Cultural resistance and perceived technical complexity further hinder integration at the farm level, especially among smallholders. This study investigates the operational potential of low-cost UAVs combined with open-source image classification algorithms to produce prescription maps for targeted herbicide application. Specifically, it aims to assess the feasibility of using commercially available, low-cost drones equipped with standard cameras, together with GIS tools, to reduce herbicide use and improve environmental sustainability. The effectiveness of this approach is evaluated across multiple spatial configurations and weed infestation thresholds, with a view toward broader applicability in Italian and comparable agro-environmental contexts. The experimental site is set on a maize field in NE Italy, the research tested three classification methods—Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC), and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA)—across varying grid sizes and weed detection thresholds to provide modular prescription maps for different weed management scenarios. Results demonstrate a significant reduction in the treated area compared to conventional blanket spraying, with ANN ranging from 18.92 % to 3.75 %, MLC from 14.59 % to 2.18 %, and OBIA from 15.82 % to 3.49 %, depending on the configuration. This study highlights how commercial low-cost UAVs and open-source GIS tools, when applied through a structured and reproducible workflow, can bridge the gap between innovation and practical application in sustainable agricultur
Impact Of Subclinical Ketosis On Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Ultrasound Imaging In Dairy Cows
No full textIntroduction
After calving, cows typically experience a negative energy balance, leading to mobilization of body reserves, especially adipose tissue. Ketosis is a metabolic condition of dairy cows, characterized by increased levels of ketone bodies, particularly β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). A BHB threshold of 1.0 mmol/L is typically used to diagnose subclinical ketosis. This condition affects up to 56% of cows in early lactation and it is influenced by factors such as body condition at calving. Excessive lipid mobilization is also associated with hepatic fat accumulation and muscle catabolism, both assessable through ultrasonography.
Around 25% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originate from non-CO2 sources, with methane (CH4) representing approximately 80% of emissions from livestock. The CH4 is the major non-CO2 greenhouse gas produced in the rumen. Metabolomics analyses have shown that ketotic cows possess higher levels of CH4 precursors, indicating a potential connection between metabolic disorders and CH4 output.
Objective
The aim of the study was to determine the impact of subclinical ketosis on GHG emissions and ultrasound imaging of liver, back fat and muscle.
Materials and methods
Study procedures were approved by Ethical Committee for Animal Welfare of University of Padua (protocol n. 103549/2024). A total of 60 Holstein-Friesian multiparous dairy cows were enrolled from a single farm (CERZOO ltd, Piacenza, Italy).
All animals were evaluated at 7, 14, 21, and 28 ± 2 days in milk (DIM) through field measurement of BHB, ultrasound imaging, and GHG monitoring. BHB was assessed using a portable digital meter and specific blood ketone test strips. Based on BHB level, cows were divided into two groups: control (CTR, BHB < 1.0 mmol/L; n = 43) and subclinical ketosis (KET, BHB ≥ 1.0 mmol/L; n = 17). Ultrasound examinations of the liver, back-fat (BFT), and longissimus dorsi muscle were performed using a MylabTM OneVET portable scanner (ESAOTE S.p.A., Genoa, Italy) equipped with a multifrequency convex probe. The following parameters were recorded: portal vein diameter (PVD), depth (DPV), area (PVA), and liver depth (LD). Daily CH4, CO2, and H2 emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA).
Statistical analyses included a mixed model to detect differences between groups. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Significant differences in BHB concentrations were observed between groups at all-time points (p < 0.001), with higher levels in KET animals. Ultrasound data revealed lower PVD and PVA in KET cows at days 7, 14, and 21, suggesting impaired hepatic perfusion. In contrast, CTR animals showed a time-related decrease in DPV, with the highest value at 7 DIM (122 mm). The LD was higher in KET cows at 14, 21, and 28 DIM (≥ 156 mm), consistently exceeding the 152.6 mm threshold for hepatic lipidosis. The BFT was initially greater in KET cows but declined markedly over time, unlike CTR animals whose BFT remained stable. This pattern suggests accelerated lipolysis in KET cows, which also had higher pre-partum fat reserves. No significant group differences were observed for longissimus dorsi thickness, indicating muscle reserves were relatively preserved across both groups.
Regarding GHG emissions, KET cows emitted significantly more CH4 (392 ± 27.2 g/day) than CTR (216 ± 16.3 g/day; p < 0.001). CO2 emissions were lower in KET (10,838 ± 355.03 g/day) than CTR (12,209 ± 215.35 g/day; p = 0.006), and H2 was also reduced in KET (0.83 ± 0.52 g/day vs. 2.01 ± 0.51 g/day; p = 0.023).
Conclusion
The findings of this study highlight the negative impact of subclinical ketosis on both GHG emissions and ultrasound imaging in dairy cows. In particular, ketosis reduced portal vein diameter and area, and increased CH4 emissions, liver depth, and back-fat loss. In conclusion, these results emphasize the need for ketosis management to improve both animal welfare and environmental impact
Integrating Temporal and Spatial Data for Deep Learning-Based Classification of Slow-Moving Ground Deformations
No full textLissamine Green in Ophthalmology: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnostic and Clinical Applications
Get PDFLissamine green (LG), a diagnostic dye that stains devitalized or damaged epithelial cells, is widely used to assess ocular surface integrity, enabling the detection of inflammation, epithelial defects, and conjunctival irregularities. To explore the diagnostic and clinical applications of LG in ophthalmology, focusing on its use for ocular surface diseases, a group of experts in ophthalmology and optometry participated in an advisory board to share their clinical practice experience with the use of LG. Building on the advisory board contents, this narrative review was based on a combination of expert opinions from the roundtable discussion and a comprehensive review of the current literature. This review highlights the clinical relevance of LG as a diagnostic tool in ocular surface disease and underscores the potential of newer formulations to enhance diagnostic accuracy. In particular, the review highlights the historical development of LG use in ophthalmology and its advantages over other dyes, especially in terms of patient comfort and safety, as well as specific clinical protocols for using LG in assessing dry eye disease severity and inflammatory responses. Additionally, the review examines recent advancements in LG formulations, which enhance their utility in clinical practice, and addresses safety considerations. Potential areas for future research are also discussed, particularly in developing standardized evaluation procedures using artificial intelligence
Assessment in homeschooling: Emerging topics
No full textThe spread of homeschooling practices in many countries responds to the need of many families to find an alternative to traditional school offerings that respect the well-being, potential and learning times of the child. Assessment, a fundamental element of educational planning in conventional schools, is not considered equally in homeschooling settings, despite its formative value and the possibility that it can act as an element capable of restoring centrality to the child. With references to international literature, the contribution reports an exploratory research conducted in the Italian context that sought to delve into the topic of the methods of examining homeschooling students and the perceptions of school personnel involved in their assessment process. The triangulation of data from different studies on the same topic and from various perspectives (families, teachers and headteachers) helped grasp the phenomenon’s complexity and the possibility of defining a school that works for all its students
