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Per parole e per immagini: la propaganda fra Cesare e Augusto in Africa e Sardinia (iscrizioni, monete, monumenti)
No full textCoins, inscriptions and monuments testify to the early spread of Caesar’s and, above all, Augustus’ propaganda themes
in the provinces of Sardinia et Corsica and Africa Proconsularis. If we leave aside the direct interventions of Caesar
and Octavian (punishments, municipal promotions, coins celebrating a new era, land distribution, investments in public
buildings), we can identify two main channels for the dissemination of propaganda: on the one hand, there were the
proconsuls, who, for personal reasons or on the orders of Rome, acted as interpreters of these messages, indirectly
demonstrating their loyalty to the Urbs government; on the other hand, there were the local notables, who were anxious
to demonstrate their full allegiance to the ideals of Rome and its leaders, and in this way sought to consolidate both their
power within their communities and the prestige of their homeland in the regio
De-escalation of axillary treatment in early breast cancer—a narrative review of current trials
No full textBackground and Objective: In the era of de-escalation and minimally invasive locoregional treatments across many fields of surgical oncology, the treatment of the axilla in breast cancer has garnered significant interest. While the knowledge of axillary lymph node involvement is crucial for multidisciplinary management, the surgical approach to the axillary basin can have potential disadvantages that may impact the quality of life. The objective of this narrative review is to examine studies about de-escalation of axillary treatment in various clinical scenarios, namely the settings of upfront surgery and neoadjuvant systemic treatments. Moreover, trials investigating omission of axillary surgery were examined. Methods: As of July 2024, a comprehensive literature search, compilation, and analysis were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Key Content and Findings: In patients with clinically node-negative lymph nodes and up to two positive sentinel nodes, avoiding axillary lymph node dissection is a safe option. As for patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic treatment, axillary lymph node dissection is unnecessary if no residual tumor burden remained in the lymph nodes after surgery. Additionally, studies have shown that axillary radiotherapy can be as effective as axillary dissection in certain cases. The avoidance of any axillary surgery might be proposed to highly select sub-groups patients with small tumors and negative on clinical and ultrasound evaluation lymph nodes. Conclusions: To date, determining the appropriate axillary treatment remains a complex decision that must be made by multidisciplinary teams with expertise in personalized breast cancer treatment
Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Auranofin and Its Two Derivatives Bearing Naproxen and Acetylcysteine as Ligands Against Staphylococci
No full textTowards the Galerkin approximation of tetraskelion metamaterials
No full textThe connection of two orthogonal families of parallel equispaced duoskelion beams results in a 2D microstructure characterizing so-called tetraskelion metamaterials. In this paper, based on the homogenization results already obtained for duoskelion beams, we retrieve the internally-constrained two-dimensional nonlinear Cosserat continuum describing the in-plane mechanical behaviour of tetraskelion metamaterials when rigid connection is considered among the two families of duoskelion beams. Contrarily to duoskelion beams, due to the dependence of the deformation energy upon partial derivatives of kinematic quantities along both space directions, the limit model of tetraskelion metamaterials cannot be reduced to an initial value problem describing the motion of an unconstrained particle subjected to a potential. This calls for the development of a finite element formulation taking into account the internal constraint. In this contribution, after introducing the continuum describing tetraskelion metamaterials in terms of its deformation energy, we exploit the Virtual Work Principle to get governing equations in weak form. These equations are then localised to get the equilibrium equations and the associated natural boundary conditions. The feasibility of a Galerkin approach to the approximation of tretraskelion metamaterials is tested on duoskelion beams by defining two different equivalent weak formulations that are discretised and then solved by a Newton–Rhapson scheme for clamped-clamped pulling/pushing tests. It is concluded that, given the high nonlinearity of the problem, the choice of the initial guess is crucial to get a solution and, particularly, a desired one among the several bifurcated ones
Unmet Needs and Their Impact on Quality of Life and Symptoms in Myelodysplastic Neoplasm Patients and Caregivers
No full textBackground/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the unmet needs of myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) patients and their caregivers, focusing on how these needs impact quality of life (QoL) and daily functioning. MDS predominantly affects older adults. It is often complicated by severe red blood cell transfusion-dependent anemia and may require frequent hospital visits, conferring a substantial burden on patients and caregivers. Methods: A national survey was conducted between June 2022 and May 2023 in 46 hematology centers across Italy, involving 259 patients and 105 caregivers. The survey included validated QoL tools (QOL-E and HM-PRO) to measure the impact of disease and treatments on health-related QoL and symptoms. Results: Of the 259 patients surveyed, 42% were transfusion-dependent, with 45% reporting distress related to hospital travel, which was significantly associated with lower QoL scores (QOL-E physical score 50.0 vs. 62.5, p < 0.001). Transfusion dependency led to worse outcomes across physical, emotional, and social domains (HM-PRO Part A score 59.8 vs. 23.7, p < 0.001). Anxiety affected 66% of patients, while 56% reported feeling emotionally distressed. Forty-eight percent of patients required a caregiver, and among caregivers, 29% reported significant disruption to their work, including changing their job or reduced hours. Patients requiring frequent hospital visits showed notably worse QoL scores (HM-PRO emotional score 56.8 vs. 31.8, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study identified substantial unmet needs for MDS patients, particularly in addressing the heavy burden of transfusions and hospital visits. Both patients and caregivers experienced significant impact on daily life and on QoL, highlighting the urgent need for treatments that reduce hospital dependency, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the caregiver burden
Enteric pathogens in the pig and wild boar meat chain in Sardinia
No full textThis study aimed to (1) characterize pathogenicity, genetic similarity, and antimi-crobial resistance (AMR) of Salmonella, pathogenic Escherichia coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica isolates from pigs and wild boars in Sardinia and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the Sardinian fermented sausage (SFS) production process in controlling Salmonella through a challenge test.
Pigs and wild boars are reservoirs of foodborne pathogens, posing public health risks. Regional epidemiological studies are crucial to understanding pathogen prevalence, AMR dynamics, and potential transmission routes in different pro-duction systems.
Environmental sampling was conducted in six pig farms and slaughterhouses, where Y. enterocolitica was detected in 33.4% of farms, while Salmonella (13.1%) and pathogenic E. coli (26.3%) were only identified in slaughtered pigs. High-risk globally distributed E. coli strains (ST88, ST101, ST648) were isolated. More than half of commensal E. coli isolates carried AMR genes, particularly for tetracycline and ampicillin. In wild boars, Salmonella was found in 4.5% of animals, while Y. enterocolitica was detected in 30.3%. Novel Salmonella enterica serotype, Escherichia species (E. marmotae, E. ruysiae) and pathogenic E. coli were identified, with a lower prevalence of antimicrobial resistance compared to domestic pigs. The challenge test, conducted on three batches of SFS, involved Salmonella inoculation during mixing. Although fermentation reduced microbial load, the pathogen remained detectable at the end of production and after 40 days. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced biosecurity measures in farms and continuous monitoring of enteric pathogens in both domestic and wild swine. Whole genome sequencing analysis provided deeper epidemiological insights, confirming genetic links among isolates and identifying risk factors along the production chain. Findings provide insights for risk management in meat production and emphasize the importance of strict control over raw materials, fermentation, and maturation to ensure food safetyThis study aimed to (1) characterize pathogenicity, genetic similarity, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Salmonella, pathogenic Escherichia coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica isolates from pigs and wild boars in Sardinia and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the Sardinian fermented sausage (SFS) production process in controlling Salmonella through a challenge test.
Pigs and wild boars are reservoirs of foodborne pathogens, posing public health risks. Regional epidemiological studies are crucial to understanding pathogen prevalence, AMR dynamics, and potential transmission routes in different production systems.
Environmental sampling was conducted in six pig farms and slaughterhouses, where Y. enterocolitica was detected in 33.4% of farms, while Salmonella (13.1%) and pathogenic E. coli (26.3%) were only identified in slaughtered pigs. High-risk globally distributed E. coli strains (ST88, ST101, ST648) were isolated. More than half of commensal E. coli isolates carried AMR genes, particularly for tetracycline and ampicillin. In wild boars, Salmonella was found in 4.5% of animals, while Y. enterocolitica was detected in 30.3%. Novel Salmonella enterica serotype and Escherichia species (E. marmotae, E. ruysiae) and pathogenic E. coli were identified, with a lower prevalence of antimicrobial resistance compared to domestic pigs. The challenge test, conducted on three batches of SFS, involved Salmonella inoculation during mixing. Although fermentation reduced microbial load, the pathogen remained detectable at the end of production and after 40 days. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced biosecurity measures in farms and continuous monitoring of enteric pathogens in both domestic and wild swine. Whole genome sequencing analysis provided deeper epidemiological insights, confirming genetic links among isolates and identifying risk factors along the production chain. Findings provide insights for risk management in meat production and emphasize the importance of strict control over raw materials, fermentation and maturation to ensure food safety
Characterization of Mediterranean forest formations using ground-based LiDAR systems
No full textAccurate forest structure monitoring is key to understanding ecosystem dynamics and informing
management. Advances in remote and proximal sensing, especially LiDAR (Light Detection and
Ranging), have transformed forest inventories. Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Mobile Laser
Scanning (MLS) now enable precise, non-invasive 3D capture of canopy, stem, and understory
features.
A significant challenge in using LiDAR for forestry is distinguishing woody from non-woody
elements (leaves, shrubs, ground vegetation), which is essential for estimating structure and biomass.
Over the past two decades, various methods have aimed to address this.
This dissertation introduces a workflow for analyzing TLS and MLS point clouds, focusing on the
separation of woody and non-woody components. The method combines voxelization, ground
filtering, and clustering algorithms into a streamlined process. Trials were conducted in
Mediterranean forests in Sardinia, Italy, using both TLS and MLS devices. These tools were assessed
for their ability to capture vertical structure and understory detail.
Results showed high classification accuracy. TLS units performed better in dense forests due to
superior resolution, while MLS devices were effective in simpler contexts, offering faster data
collection.
A key contribution is the development of an R software package, Point cloud Interactive Computation
(PiC), which automates the workflow. PiC processes raw LiDAR data through each stage, producing
voxelized outputs, filtered ground layers, and classified components. It was tested on two forest plots,
showing reliable performance across different sensors and computing setups.
Despite promising results, challenges remain in complex forests with varied species, crown shapes,
or dense understory. Future work should enhance the workflow's adaptability and test it in nonMediterranean ecosystems to assess broader applicability.
This research highlights the value of integrating TLS and MLS with analytical tools for forest
monitoring, offering insights to support sustainable forest management and ecological modelingForests play important ecological, economic, and social roles, contributing to carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. Accurate monitoring and modeling of forest structure is critical to improving our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and guiding forest management decisions. Recent advances in remote and proximal sensing technologies, particularly LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), have revolutionized forest inventory techniques. Among these, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) have emerged as key tools for acquiring detailed three-dimensional data on forest canopy, stem, and understory vegetation. These technologies provide non-invasive, highly accurate measurements of forest parameters.
One major challenge in forestry applications of LiDAR is the accurate separation of woody material (trunks, branches) from non-woody components (leaves, shrubs, and ground vegetation). This distinction is essential for estimating key forest metrics, including structural attributes and biomass distribution. Over the past two decades, various methodologies have been developed to address this issue.
This dissertation presents a workflow for analyzing TLS and MLS point clouds, with a specific focus on accurately separating woody and non-woody components. The proposed methodology integrates voxelization, ground filtering, and clustering algorithms, providing a streamlined approach for processing LiDAR data. The methodology was tested in Mediterranean forest contexts in Sardinia, Italy. Data collection involved both fixed-station TLS devices and handheld MLS devices. These instruments were evaluated based on their ability to capture canopy structure and understory complexity.
Results demonstrated that the workflow achieved high classification accuracy. Fixed-station TLS instruments outperformed handheld devices in dense and complex forest environments due to their higher resolution and data quality. However, the MLS proved effective in simpler forest settings, offering the advantage of rapid data acquisition.
An important aspect of the study was the development of a software package for the "R" statistical analysis platform, called Point cloud Interactive Computation (PiC), designed to automate the proposed workflow. The PiC package processes raw LiDAR point clouds step-by-step, generating outputs at each stage, including voxelized data, ground-separated layers, and classified woody/non-woody components. The software was also tested on two forest plots. The results confirmed the versatility and ease of use of the package, which efficiently and consistently processed data from a TLS and MLS, regardless of the type of hardware used to run the software.
Despite the promising results, challenges remain in applying the methodology to highly heterogeneous forests, such as those with diverse tree species, complex crown geometries, and dense understory vegetation. Future research should aim to improve the robustness of the workflow by incorporating additional features. Furthermore, testing this methodology in non-Mediterranean ecosystems would provide insights into its broader applicability and limitations, adapting it to account for variations in canopy architecture, tree species composition, and understory density.
This work underscores the potential of integrating TLS and MLS technologies with advanced analytical workflows in forest monitoring. The insights gained from this research can contribute to more effective forest management practices and enhanced ecological modeling in a wide range of forest environment
Qualche considerazione su Algún amor que no mate
No full textEn este trabajo se analiza brevemente el tema de la violencia de género dentro de la novela de Dulce Chacón Algún amor que no mate
The Use of Vacuum Plasma Surface Treatment to Improve Bone Healing and Regeneration in Socket Preservation and GBR: A Case Series with Histological Analysis
No full textPurpose: To evaluate the clinical and histological outcomes of patients that receive implant-supported crowns after vacuum plasma surface treatment (VPST) of biomaterials used in socket preservation (SP) and guided bone regeneration (GBR). Materials and methods: This study was designed as a case series. Patients in need of tooth extraction and socket preservation or guided bone regeneration were enrolled. The socket preservation technique was performed after tooth extraction using a heterologous collagen bone graft and a collagen xenomatrix, both activated with vacuum plasma. Meanwhile, a two-stage horizontal ridge augmentation was performed using a customized titanium mesh and a mix of autologous (untreated) and heterologous (treated) bone grafts, along with a treated collagen membrane. ACTILINK Reborn with Universal Vortex Holder (Plasmapp Co., Ltd., Daejeon, Republic of Korea) was used to treat all biomaterials. The outcome measures were implant and prosthesis failures, complications, and histological examination. Soft and hard tissue samples were collected at the time of implant placement only in patients treated with SP. Results: A total of six patients were treated—three with socket preservation and delayed implant placement, and three with staged GBR. No implant or prosthesis failed. One customized titanium mesh broke after plasma treatment, requiring replacement with a pericardium membrane. No other complications occurred. Histological analysis at three months post-surgery revealed well-vascularized newly formed bone at different stages of maturation with integrated bone graft particles, while the soft tissue appeared to be physiologically structured. Conclusion: VPST may enhance the hydrophilicity of biomaterials, supporting favorable healing outcomes in SP and GBR. Further randomized controlled trials with appropriate sample size calculations are needed to confirm these preliminary results
Assessing the utilization of HIV genotype resistance testing: Insight from Italian Infectious Diseases Units
No full textPurpose: We aimed to assess the utilization of genotype resistance testing (GRT) by Infectious Diseases Units across Italy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a questionnaire distributed to the Infectious Diseases Unit in Italy. A web-based survey using Google Forms software was utilized and spread via email or cellphone. Results: Responses were obtained from 101 Infectious Diseases Units. Among these centres, only seven (6.9%) reported not performing GRT at any time. Of the 94 centres performing GRT, 52 (55.3%) sent blood samples to external laboratories. Notably, only 6/35 (17.1%) small centres had internal laboratories, compared to 14/35 (40.0%) medium centres and 22/24 (91.7%) large centres (P < 0.001). Most centres requested GRT for treatment-naïve individuals and all cases of virological failure. Only 24 (25.5%) requested GRT of HIVDNA before treatment changes. Regarding virological failure, most centres (38, 40.4%) requested GRT when HIV-RNA levels exceeded 200 copies/mL, while 26 (27.7%) requested it at levels exceeding 50 copies/mL. Additionally, 18 (19.1%) and 12 (12.8%) centres requested GRT at thresholds of 500 copies/mL and 1000 copies/mL, respectively. Regarding the specific GRT test used, 34 (36.2%) were unsure, while 16 (17.0%) reported using both next-generation sequencing and Sanger methods. Furthermore, 30 (31.9%) and 14 (14.9%) centres exclusively used next-generation sequencing and Sanger, respectively. Most centres reported receiving GRT results within 1 month (n = 72, 76.6%), while 22 (23.4%) centres obtained results within 2 weeks. However, 22 (23.4%) centres typically experienced more than 1-month delays. Finally, most participants (86, 91.5%) regarded GRT as a crucial routine test for the treatment of naïve people living with HIV. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that most Infectious Diseases Units in Italy continue to consider GRT an essential test for newly diagnosed people living with HIV in clinical practice. However, the utilization of GRT on HIV-DNA remains limited. Further efforts are required to decrease turnaround time in centres experiencing prolonged delays in obtaining results