747 research outputs found
Criminalpol Sicilia and the mafia, 1966-1981
No full textThis article reconstructs events relating to the Centro di coordinamento regionale di polizia criminale (Criminalpol Sicilia) in Palermo, from its establishment in the second half of the 1960s up to the beginning of the 1980s. Created in order to unify and coordinate mafia investigations at the regional level, Criminalpol Sicilia became, over time, one of the most significant ventures in the history of the battle against the mafia. First and foremost, this was because during the 1970s it managed to operate in total synergy with the most important investigative bodies engaged in fighting the mafia, including Palermo’s Squadra Mobile (Flying Squad). Secondly, it was because it proved capable of establishing productive collaborative relationships with similar bodies in other countries, successfully intercepting the elusive flows of the drugs trade. This was possible not least
because of Criminalpol Sicilia’s relocation, at an early stage of its activity, within a larger body, Italy’s National Criminalpol, becoming one of its outlying extensions. For the first time in the history of the Italian Republic, the principles of centralization and specialization were applied; subsequently, these proved to be of decisive importance in the struggle against organized crim
The Effect of Morphometry, Land-Use and Lithology on Landslides Susceptibility: An Exploratory Analysis
No full textGIS features provide simple and useful tools for landslides susceptibility and hazard studies, allowing the identification and the quantification of predisposing factors, and their relative importance. In lithologically homogeneous areas, the most influent factor of landslides is slope morphometry, in particular inclination, height and form. Moreover, within a hydrographic basin, landslides are coupled with drainage network. In fact landslides density and drainage density are positively correlated. Furthermore, human activity strongly influences the development of landslides. In our previous works, we introduced MSI (Morphometric Slope Index) as general index for slope morphometry, combining the main linear and areal morphometric features (area, form, length, inclination, width). Its formula is: MSI=A3D/A2D·L·Rc (where A3D is the three-dimensional area of the slope, A2D is its plan area, L is the slope length and Rc is the circularity ratio). We tested MSI as driver of different erosion landforms, demonstrating its influence in determining, on the one hand, the development and the final arrangement of calanchi drainage network (the typical Italian badlands), and, on the other hand, the erosion processes within them, mainly gullies and landslides. The present study is an exploratory application of this index to landslides susceptibility, aimed to analyze the combined effect of slope morphometry (summarized in MSI), lithology and land-use on the distribution of landslides in small catchments. The study is located in the Italian periadriatic foredeep, in the Abruzzo Region. This study has reinforced our perspective about the validity of the application of the techniques of geomorphometric analysis to the landslides susceptibility. Especially we consider this approach an efficient tool to summarize different controlling factors
NONINVASIVE POSITIVE-PRESSURE VENTILATION IN ALS. Predictors of tolerance and survival
No full textObjective: To identify factors associated with tolerance and survival after noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and to investigate the influence of NIPPV on lung function in patients with ALS. Methods: NIPPV was offered to 71 patients with ALS in accordance with currently published guidelines. Effects of NIPPV on lung function and factors influencing tolerance and survival after NIPPV were studied. Results: Forty-four patients (61.9%; 95% CI: 50.6 to 73.2) tolerated NIPPV (NIPPV use >= 4 h/day) and 27 (38.1%; 95% CI: 26.8 to 49.4) were intolerant (NIPPV use = 4 h/day) and to the modifications of forced vital capacity decline after treatment initiation. The severity of bulbar impairment and the nutritional status of the ALS patients at the introduction of ventilation may predict tolerance and survival
MARITAL STATUS IS A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS
No full textBackground and objectives: Several variables have been linked to a shorter survival in
patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), for example, female sex, older age,
site of disease onset, rapid disease progression, and a relatively short diagnostic delay.
With regard to marital status, previous studies suggested that living with a partner
might be associated to a longer survival and a higher likelihood to proceed to tracheostomy.
Therefore, to further strengthen this hypothesis, we investigated the role of
marital status as a prognostic variable in a cohort of ALS patients.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on 501 consecutive ALS patients for
which a complete disease’s natural history and clinical/demographic data were available.
At diagnosis, 409 patients (81.6%) were married or lived with a stable partner,
whereas 92 patients (18.4%) were single/widowed/divorced.
Results: In our ALS cohort, being married was associated with a median longer survival
(married, 35 months [24-50]
vs unmarried, 27 months [18-42];
P<.004). Moreover,
married and unmarried patients were significantly different in many clinical and demographic
variables, including age at disease onset, gender, body mass index, and number
of children. Cox regression analysis showed that age at onset, diagnostic delay, and
marital status were independent predictors of survival. In unmarried patients, female
sex was also significantly associated with shorter survival.
Conclusions: Marital status is a prognostic factor in ALS, and it significantly affects
survival
Utilização da casca do coco verde para fabricação de briquetes
No full textBrazil is a major generator of waste from the green coconut shell, which promotes
considerable accumulation of these wastes, causing severe environmental impacts.
Considering this high generation of residual biomass from green coconut,
alternatives capable of solving this issue have been sought through the manufacture
of briquettes, used as a source of energy. In this perspective, the present study
aimed to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using briquettes. This is an
observational research, with a qualitative approach on the production of briquettes,
which included analyzes on the feasibility of manufacturing briquettes using green
coconut husk as the main input. In the research, the economic and technical
feasibility of the reuse of coconut husks as an input for making briquettes from charcoal fines was observed. Being its production of simple execution and raw
material of easy execution. Its quality was also evidenced when compared to the
briquettes produced in other countries. Regarding the energy evaluation of the
briquettes, it presented satisfactory energy potential, making the project viable and
applicable in our city.O Brasil é um grande gerador de resíduos provenientes da casca de coco verde, o
que promove acúmulo considerável desses rejeitos, provocando impactos
ambientais severos. Considerando essa alta geração de biomassa residual do coco
verde, tem se buscado alternativas capazes de solucionar esta questão por meio da
confecção de briquetes, usado como fonte de energia. Nesta perspectiva, o presente
estudo teve como objetivo demonstrar a viabilidade técnica do uso de briquetes.
Trata-se de uma pesquisa de cunho observacional, com abordagem qualitativa
sobre a produção dos briquetes, onde foram abrangidas análises sobre a viabilidade
da fabricação de briquetes utilizando casca de coco verde como insumo principal.
Nas pesquisas foi observada a viabilidade econômica e técnica do reuso das cascas
de coco como insumo para confecção de briquetes de finos de carvão vegetal.
Sendo sua produção de simples execução e matéria-prima de fácil execução.
Evidenciou-se ainda, a sua qualidade quando comparados aos briquetes produzidos
em outros países. No que tange a avaliação energética dos briquetes, o mesmo
apresentou potencial energético satisfatório, tornando o projeto viável e aplicável na
nossa cidade
Universalidade e singularidades do espaço transitório: um estudo a partir de quebradeiras de coco babaçu/MIQCB e trabalhadores rurais sem terra/MST no Maranhão (1990 - 2000)
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em GeografiaRecupera-se elementos do processo de universalização da produção da vida sob a mediação do capital, procurando apreender sobre a produção na sociedade burguesa, a produção da sociedade burguesa e como este processo gesta, nas suas entranhas, elementos de uma sociedade do vir-a-ser, isto é, da superação da sociedade burguesa. Dialogando com as formulações de Karl Marx e Friedrich Engels, procura-se entender explicitar como a universalidade da reprodução das relações burguesas de produção da existência social e humana materializa-se singularidades paradoxais nas diversas formações sócio-espaciais. Em particular estuda-se o processo de reprodução de quebradeiras de coco babaçu/MIQCB e de trabalhadores rurais sem terra/MST, na década de 1990, no Estado do Maranhão. Por estas mediações, percebe-se o escancaramento das dificuldades, quase impossibilidade, da (re)produção social e humana pelas relações capital # lucro, terra # renda fundiária ou trabalho # salário. Vive-se, portanto, um período de transição. Manifestam-se os dilemas entre a impossibilidade de retorno a formas pretéritas de produção da existência e as dificuldades de materialização do novo. A degeneração humana explicita-se como a forma mais visível dos homens reais se reproduzirem. Contraditoriamente, pode-se perceber experimentos que não podem ser interpretados como simples processo de reprodução da sociedade burguesa, estão para além delas. To recover elements from the process of universalization from the production of life under the mediation of the capital, searching to learn about production in the burgess society, the burgess society#s production and how this process is managed, deep inside, elements from a society still to be, that means, the overrun of the burgess society. Arguing with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels thoughts, We try to understand and explain how the universality of reproduction from burgess relations of social and human existence production materializes paradoxal singularities inside many social-space structure formations. In particular studies the process of reproduction of quebradeiras of coco babaçu/MIQCB and the landless rural workers /MST, in the ninties, in the Maranhão State. Because of this mediations, we Perceive clearly the dificulties, almost impossible, of social and human (re)production through capital relations # profit, land # latifundium income or work # salary. So, we live a transition era. We express the dilemas between the impossibility of the return of the old structure production of existance and the difficulties of materialization of the new. The human deterioration explains itself as a more visible structure of the real men to reproduce. Contradictorily we are capable to perceive experiments which can not be interpretaded as a simple process of the burgess society reproduction, they are beyond that
ALLEANZA DI LAVORO E RELAZIONE REALE NELLE TERAPIE SVOLTE PRESSO UN SERVIZIO DI COUNSELLING UNIVERSITARIO
No full textThe Mw 7.5 2009 Coco earthquake, north Andaman region
No full textThe recent 10 August 2009 Coco earthquake (Mw 7.5), the largest aftershock of the giant 2004 Sumatra Andaman earthquake, occurred within the subducting India plate under the Burma plate. The Coco earthquake nucleated near the northwestern edge of the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake rupture under the unruptured updip segment of the plate boundary interface. The earthquake with predominant normal motion on approximately north-south to northeast-southwest oriented plane is very similar to the 27 June 2008 Little Andaman earthquake which occurred in the South Andaman region near the trench. We provide the only available estimate of coseismic offset due to the 2009 Coco earthquake at a survey-mode GPS site in the north Andaman, located about 60 km south of the Coco earthquake epicentre. The not so large coseismic displacement of about 2 cm in the ESE direction is consistent with the earthquake focal mechanism and its magnitude. We suggest that, like the 2008 Little Andaman earthquake, this earthquake too occurred on one of the approximately north-south to northeast-southwest oriented steep planes of the obliquely subducting 90°E ridge which was reactivated in normal motion after subduction, under the favourable influence of coseismic and ongoing postseismic deformation due to the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. Another notable feature of this earthquake is its relatively low aftershock productivity. We suggest that the earthquake occurred very close to the aseismic region of the Irrawaddy frontal arc of very low seismicity where pre-existing faults are not so critically stressed and because of which the earthquake could trigger only a few aftershocks in its immediate vicinity
Yogurt Technique for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft Preparation: Early Clinical Outcomes
No full textPurpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Yogurt technique for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft preparation.Methods:This study included patients who underwent DMEK combined or not with phacoemulsification surgery using donor tissues prepared by a surgeon with the DMEK Tzamalis disposable punch at 2 referral hospitals between October 2019 and June 2021. Primary outcomes were duration of graft preparation, surgeon grading of graft quality, and endothelial cell density measured at 1 and 6 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured at 1 and 6 months postoperatively and DMEK intraoperative and postoperative complications.Results:Forty-nine patients were included in this study. The mean DMEK graft preparation time was 7.2 ± 1.4 minutes. Donor grafts were rated good in 67.3% of cases (33 of 49), sufficient in 24.5% (12 of 49), and poor in 8.2% (4 of 49). Donor mean endothelial cell density was 2580 ± 155 preoperatively, which were reduced to 2269 ± 191 (P < 0.000) and 1697 ± 142 (P < 0.0001) at 1 and 6 months, respectively. No significant difference was found in graft preparation outcome (P = 0.543). The preoperative BCVA was 0.65 ± 0.44 logMAR, which improved to 0.31 ± 0.43 logMAR (P < 0.0001) and 0.12 ± 0.14 logMAR (P < 0.0001) at 1 and 6 months after surgery, respectively.Conclusions:This study shows that the DMEK Tzamalis punch can be used as an effective and safe method for DMEK graft preparation with a shallow learning curve that allows it to be successfully performed by relatively inexperienced surgeons
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