3,646 research outputs found
Toward a trans-regional vulnerability assessment for Alps. A methodological approach to land cover changes over alpine landscapes, supporting urban adaptation
The contribution presents a possible assessment methodology for land cover change over ice and
snow, between 1990 and 2018 in the Dolomites and the Alpi Giulie. The methodology aims to
build surface atlas to assess the land cover changes. The tool is intended as a support for environmental
management, forecasting and, as support for territorial government systems in climate-
proof planning processes. In the “business as usual” global warming scenario, ice and snow
resources will become one of the most affected subjects by Climate Change, with heavy consequences
on ecosystems, urban environments and socioeconomic. Current monitoring and assessment
systems are fragmented both by survey methodology and by local distribution. The
methodology is developed in using GIS, following remote sensing (RS) processes and spatial
analysis tools to manage multispectral satellite images. The process uses spectral signatures from
satellite images to identify homogeneous areas in material and morphology. The process takes
into account the actual systems of assessment and local socioeconomic exposures. The methodology
takes a proactive approach to future hazards and impacts considering their management
in alpine habitats to support local administrations. The project develops transboundary assessment
techniques and aids the adaptation of planning strategies in the context of Climate Change
Milano consolato nell' elettione a questo arciuescouado, e promotione alla sagra porpora dell' eminentissimo Federico Visconti : colla sua solennissima entrata seguita a' 11. genaro 1682 e fontioni antecedenti /
Frontispiece coat of arms of Milan, engraved by Federico Agnelli.Signatures: pi⁴ A-G⁴ H⁴(-H4).Mode of access: Internet.Binding: limp vellum. Author & title written on spine
»It contained harbours that pleased me like sonnets«. Kleine Poetik der diegetischen Karte
In this article, Federico Italiano explores the relationship between literature and cartography. Beginning with Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the author frames the topic through a general theoretical lens on the spatial dimension of literary texts. He then focuses on a specific phenomenon of literary "carticity"—the diegetic presence of the map, that is, the map as an integral element of the narrative structure. Among others, Italiano examines the works of Houellebecq and Cormac McCarthy
Energetics of walking in individuals with cerebral palsy and typical development, across severity and age: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) report physical fatigue as a main cause of limitation, deterioration and eventually cessation of their walking ability. A consequence of higher level of fatigue in individuals with CP leads to a less efficient and long-distance walking ability. Research question: This systematic review investigates the difference in 1) walking energy expenditure between individuals with CP and age-matched typically developing (TD) individuals; and 2) energetics of walking across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and age. Methods: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, ScienceDirect and Scopus) were searched using search terms related to CP and energetics of walking. Results: Forty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Thirty-one studies compared energy expenditure between CP and age-matched controls. Twelve studies correlated energy expenditure and oxygen cost across GMFCS levels. Three studies investigated the walking efficiency across different ages or over a time period. A significant increase of energy expenditure and oxygen cost was found in individuals with CP compared to TD age-matched individuals, with a strong relationship across GMFCS levels. Significance: Despite significant differences between individuals with CP compared to TD peers, variability in methods and testing protocols may play a confounding role. Analysis suggests oxygen cost being the preferred/unbiased physiological parameter to assess walking efficacy in CP. To date, there is a knowledge gap on age-related changes of walking efficiency across GMFCS levels and wider span of age ranges. Further systematic research looking at longitudinal age-related changes of energetics of walking in this population is warranted
Bone and skeletal muscle changes in oldest-old women: the role of physical inactivity
BACKGROUND: Alterations in bone and muscle parameters related to advanced aging and physical inactivity have never been investigated in oldest-old women. AIMS: To investigate the impact of physical inactivity on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition at the systemic and regional levels in oldest-old (> 75 years old) women. We hypothesized that, further to aging, alterations in bone and body composition parameters are exacerbated in the locomotor limbs that have experienced physical inactivity. METHODS: Whole-body and regional (lower limbs and trunk) BMD and fat-free soft tissue mass (FFSTM) were measured by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 11 oldest-old wheelchair-bound women (OIW), 11 oldest-old mobile women (OMW), and 11 young healthy women (YW), all matched for weight (± 10 kg), height (± 10 cm). RESULTS: Whole-body BMD was reduced by 15% from YW to OMW and 10% from OMW to OIW. Whole-body FFSTM was also reduced from YW to OIW (- 13%). Lower limb BMD was progressively reduced among YW, OMW and OIW (- 23%). Similarly, lower limb FFSTM was reduced among YW (12,816 ± 1797 g), OMW (11,999 ± 1512 g) and OIW (10,037 ± 1489 g). Trunk BMD was progressively reduced among YW, OMW and OIW (- 19%), while FFSTM was similar among the three groups ~ 19801 g. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that the alterations in bone and body composition parameters are exacerbated in the physical inactive oldest-old. These negative effects of physical inactivity are not confined to the locomotor limbs, and a systemic decline of bone and muscle parameters are likely associated with the physical inactivity
Central and peripheral haemodynamics at exercise onset: the role of central command
Purpose: The involvement of central command in central hemodynamic regulation during exercise is relatively well-known, although its contribution to peripheral hemodynamics at the onset of low-intensity contractions is debated. This study sought to examine central and peripheral hemodynamics during electrically-evoked muscle contractions (without central command) and voluntary muscle activity (with central command). Methods: Cyclic quadriceps isometric contractions (1 every second), either electrically-evoked (ES; 200 ms trains composed of 20 square waves) or performed voluntarily (VC), were executed by 10 healthy males (26 ± 3 years). In both trials, matched for force output, peripheral and central hemodynamics were analysed. Results: At exercise onset, both ES and VC exhibited equal peaks of femoral blood flow (1276 ± 849 vs. 1117 ± 632 ml/min, p > 0.05) and vascular conductance (15 ± 11 vs. 13 ± 7 ml/min/mmHg, p > 0.05), respectively. Similar peaks of heart rate (86 ± 16 bpm vs. 85 ± 16 bpm), stroke volume (100 ± 20 vs. 99 ± 27 ml), cardiac output (8.2 ± 2.5 vs. 8.5 ± 2.1 L/min), and mean arterial pressure (113 ± 13 vs. 113 ± 3 mmHg), were recorded (all, p > 0.05). After ~ 50 s, all the variables drifted to lower values. Collectively, the hemodynamics showed equal responses. Conclusion: These results suggest a similar pathway for the initial (first 40 s) increase in central and peripheral hemodynamics. The parallel responses may suggest an initial minimal central command involvement during the onset of low-intensity contractions, likely associated with a neural drive activation delay or threshold
Fasting-Mimicking-Diet does not reduce skeletal muscle function in healthy young adults: a randomized control trial
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of the Fasting-Mimicking-Diet (FMD) intervention on neuromuscular parameters of force production in healthy young men. Methods: Twenty-four physically active men completed the study. Participants were randomly assigned to Fasting-Mimicking (FMD) or Normal Diet (ND) and asked to follow three cycles of dietary intervention. Neuromuscular parameters of force production during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVCs) with the leg extensors muscles and anthropometrics were measured at baseline (T0), at the end of the first cycle (T1), and 7-10 days after the 3rd cycle of the nutritional intervention (T2). The study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT04476615). Results: There was a significant decrease in body mass at T1 for FMD (- 2.6 kg, ∆ from baseline, on average; p < 0.05) but not in ND (- 0.1 kg;). Neuromuscular parameters of force production, muscle volume, and MVC torque did not change or differ between groups across visits. Results were similar even when parameters were normalized by muscle volume. Conclusion: The consumption of FMD in a group of young healthy male subjects showed to be feasible, and it did not affect neuromuscular parameters of force production. The results suggest that FMD could be safely adopted by strength athletes without detrimental effects on force and muscle volume. Further research in clinical population at risk of muscle mass loss, such as elderly and obese subjects with sarcopenia, is warranted
Portrait of the Author in (Him/Her)self
A fragment of a philosophical essay by Jean-Luc Nancy and Federico Ferrari titled Iconographie dell’auteur (Paris, 2005), published for the first time in Polish, that addresses the problem of a relationship between the image of the author and his/her work
Aneddoti e ricette a corte di Federico II nel XXI secolo : il buon cibo e il buon bere nel più antico Ateneo pubblico al mondo
[Italiano]: Questo volume rappresenta la finalizzazione di una iniziativa nata, condivisa ed interamente realizzata all'interno del gruppo social dei "Prof in cucina e in Cantina", che ha inteso raccogliere ricette e descrizioni aneddotiche di singoli Autori, appartenenti ai ruoli del personale docente e tecnico-amministrativo-bibliotecario dell'Ateneo federiciano, il più antico Ateneo pubblico al mondo. Aneddoti e ricette forniscono spaccati di vita quotidiana e ricostruzioni di eventi che hanno accompagnato gli Autori nei diversi percorsi formativi, sociali e lavorativi, e che non escludono riferimenti al recente periodo emergenziale della pandemia COVID-19. Ad introdurre il Volume è un menù federiciano, con una proposta di 3 pietanze che attualizzano ricette ed abitubini alimentari dell'epoca, e che hanno come riferimento il Liber de coquina, edito a corte di Federico II. Gli 8 Capitoli del volume raggruppano ricette e aneddoti per categorie, e ciascuno di essi è poi preceduto da un breve inserto con ulteriori riferimenti storici all'alimentazione a Corte di Federico II. Così, atmosfere vecchie e nuove, accompagnate dal sentore di aromi e da suggestioni ispirate al vissuto di ciascun Autore, si fondono per offrire a Lettrici e Lettori frammenti di quotidianità vissuti oggi a corte di Federico II, nel XXI secolo./[English]: The Volume represents the endpoint of a recent initiative, which was conceived, shared and fully realized within the social group of the "Prof in Cucina e in Cantina". Here, the several Authors, represented by the teaching and the technical/administrative/librarian staff of the Federico II University in Naples, the oldest public University in the world, propose recipes and anecdotal descriptions of their educational, social and work-related paths, including some episodes from the recent COVID-19 pandemic. A menu inspired to Frederick II introduces the book, with 3 recipes inspired to the Liber de coquina, a cooking manual compiled at the Emperor's court. Each of the following 8 thematic chapters of the book is also anticipated by a brief insert reporting historical reconstructions of the alimentary habits at the court of Frederick II. Thus, old and new atmospheres, accompanied by the scent of aromas and suggestions inspired by the experience of each Author, come together to offer Readers fragments of everyday life at the court of Frederick II, in the 21st century
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