Search

The effect of oxidation on nascent soot particles is investigated in this work by means of Raman spectroscopy. Three different soot particle samples are produced in a lightly sooting ethylene/air laminar premixed flame and collected at different residence times. The samples are characterized by a different size of primary particles and a different degree of aging and hence graphitization, and they are representative of the early evolution of nascent soot in flames. Oxidation of particles is induced by exposing the samples to a high temperature oxidation treatment in air over a range of temperature 25–500°C. To this aim, a programmable heating microscope stage is used. Thermo-optical transmission (TOT) measurements are used to characterize the chemical composition of pristine particles in terms of organic and elemental carbon content, also providing the pyrolytic carbon fraction of the organic carbon. The TOT results show that the organic fraction is constant for the three conditions. On the other hand, the pyrolytic carbon fraction decreases and the elemental carbon increases when moving from the sample composed of just-nucleated particles to the sample mostly made of mature soot particles. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the thermal oxidation treatment performed on the sample of just-nucleated particles, with the highest organic carbon content, results in a reduction of the amorphous carbon component. Conversely, the sample of mature soot, with the highest elemental carbon content, shows an increase in the amorphous carbon phase after oxidation, which is attributed to fragmentation or the formation of point defects by O2 oxidation. Finally, the thermal oxidation procedure produces a strong reduction in the photoluminescence signal detected from Raman spectra.

Flame-formed just-nucleated carbon nanoparticles, with sizes of about 2-10 nanometers, have been the object of increasing interest over the last decades not only because of environmental concerns but also as new procedure for synthesis of engineered nanoparticles. In this work, we present an experimental study on synthesis and characterization of carbon nanoparticles generated in a laminar premixed ethylene/air flame. The production of carbon nanoparticles of different sizes and properties is achieved by changing the particle residence time in the flame, i.e., collecting the carbon nanoparticles at different heights above the burner. Particle size distributions, Raman, UV-visible and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies have been used to characterize the sampled particles. The size of the particles increases as the residence time in the flame increases, the particle size distributions changing from a unimodal to bimodal. Chemical and structural modifications are retrieved by Raman and EPR analysis. Raman spectra show the G and D bands, typical of disordered carbonaceous materials. Their relative intensity and band position changes during the growing process and are used as index of structural changes. EPR spectroscopy, a powerful tool to probe electronic properties of carbon-based materials, reveals the presence and superposition of multiple paramagnetic species. Persistent carbon-centered aromatic radicals are detected for all the sampled particles and an abrupt change in the EPR signal is observed as the particle distribution changes from monomodal to bimodal. EPR indicate a three-dimensional structural organization when larger particles are formed. Optical proprieties are retrieved by UV-visible spectroscopy which, combined to Raman and EPR spectroscopy, seems to be powerful diagnostics to monitor particle clustering and to control the process of engineered carbonaceous nanoparticle production.

Alessandro Davide Videtta,1 Valeria Malagnino,2 Giulia De Falco3 1183th Paratroop Regiment “Nembo” Italian Army, Pistoia, Italy; 2Onco-Haematology Department SS. Annunziata Hospital, Taranto, Italy; 3Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Abstract: Since its discovery in 1958, Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has been extensively studied and has become a model for tumorigenesis, but its pathogenesis has not been completely explained and understood yet. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge about BL and, in particular, to discuss the role of miRNAs in its pathogenesis and their possible use as­diagnostic and prognostic indicators. The impact of viral-encoded miRNAs is also discussed, with the Epstein–Barr infection being almost invariably detected in the endemic variant of this tumor. Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma, miRNAs, MYC

Integrated archaeological and geological studies conducted on Mistras coastal barrier system of central Sardinia showed that it developed as transgressive systems during the final stages of the Holocene sea level rise (final stage of the Holocene Climate Optimum, about 6300–6000 cal y BP), and become regressive (prograding) from about 2500 cal y BP, when sea level reached the present elevation. The regression of the coast was, however, not continuous, but characterized by distinct Transgressive-Regressive phases (T-R), associated to precise climatic fluctuations, tied with global eustatic and climatic phases. The first regression occurred between 2500 and 1900 cal y BP. This time interval, known as Roman Warm, coincides with the Phoenician, Punic and Roman attendance of the west Sardinia coast. At that time, areas close to the coastal cities had to host landings and perhaps ports probably located at short distance from the shoreline. Archaeological excavations and findings have documented that in the Mistras area Punic constructed a long boulder structure (probably dated from the 4th century BCE) to better protect an incipient lagoon used as the harbour of the city of Tharros. This had the effect to modify the normal behaviour of the beach system that transformed from spit to barrier lagoon. During the second regressive phase, the well-established beach lagoon system developed quasi continuously for > 1200 y (650 and 1850 CE). This progradation started during a new warm period (Medieval) and continued favoured by gentle sea level fall occurred during the cold Little Ice Age time. During this time, after the abandonment of the city of Tharros and of the Sinis Peninsula, the Mistras area was poorly populated. As consequence, there was no more an active harbour and large sandy dunes developed and nourished the shore allowing a no man-influence progradation of the coast. The third stage is the current one and begun about 165 y ago (post 1850 CE) after the relative sea level rise occurred after the end of the Little Ice Age. Geological and archaeological data of western Sardinia barrier lagoon systems revealed that the Mistras barrier lagoon evolution was human influenced since the Punic time. The study pointed that little human activities on the coast could influence its natural behaviour and landscape, and that little climatic changes both positive and negative can induce progradation or erosion of the system as well.

Natural processes and human activities are strongly connected, and sometimes con icting, in the evolution of coastal and transitional environments. The strong anthropic pressure on coastal regions, together with the e ects of a changing climate, demands nowadays more pressingly for e cient tools to characterise and predict the behaviour of such systems in order to de ne appropriate response strategies. This requires a deep understanding of the connections among di erent drivers and di erent scales, a multidisciplinary challenge in which heterogeneous data, approaches and scales need to be framed within a consistent dynamical description. To this aim, a speci c research line was dedicated to “Coastal Vulnerability to Erosion and Sea Level Rise” within the RITMARE Project, supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research with the purpose of integrating the Italian Marine community in shared research elds in the period 2012-2017. The activities carried out in this framework have been moving along interconnected branches tackling the themes related with sea level rise, ocean modelling, and geomorphological assessment in present conditions and in di erent climate change scenarios, with an eye on the exploitation of marine sand as a strategic resource. In this contribution we review the main outcomes of this multidisciplinary and coordinated research. Besides discussing the advances and the possibilities from state-of-the art technologies and methodologies, we point out that a coordinated use of the described tools should be promoted in the design of survey and monitoring activities, as well as in the exploitation of already collected data. Expected outcomes of this strategy include the implementation of improved policies and infrastructures for coastal protection, anked by reliable short-term forecasting systems and e cient rapid response protocols, in the framework of an integrated coastal planning at the multi-decadal scale.

We depict the relative sea-level rise scenarios for the year 2100 from eight areas of the Italian peninsula. Our estimates are based on the Rahmstorf (2007) and IPCC-AR5 reports 2013 for the RCP-8.5 scenarios (www.ipcc.ch) of climate change, adjusted for the rates of vertical land movements (isostasy and tectonics). These latter are inferred from the elevation of MIS 5.5 deposits and from late Holocene sea-level indicators, matched against sea-level predictions for the same periods using the glacio-hydro-isostatic model of Lambeck et al. (2011). We focus on a variety of tectonic settings: the subsiding North Adriatic coast (including the Venice lagoon), three tectonically stable in Sardinia coastal plains (Oristano, Colledonia and Cagliari coastal plain), Marche (Tronto), Abruzzo (Pescara and Sangro coastal areas), Apulia (Lesina), Granelli (Sicily), and Marina di Campo (Tuscany) and the slightly uplifting Taranto coastal plain. Maps of ooding scenarios are shown on high-resolution Digital Terrain Models mostly based on Lidar data. The expected relative sea-level rise by 2100 will change dramatically the present-day morphology, potentially ooding up to about 6000 km2 of coastal plains at elevations close to present-day sea level. The subsequent loss of land will impact the environment and local infrastructures, suggesting land planners and decision makers to take into account these scenarios for a cognizant coastal management. Our method developed for the Italian coast can be applied worldwide in other coastal areas expected to be a ected by marine ingression due to global climate change.

The increasing awareness of the potential threats acting on the coastal regions, combined with the intense anthropic pressure and the broad variety of socio-economic drivers acting on these systems, bestowed progressively stronger emphasis to the development of sound planning and management policies. The assessment and the formulation of plans for the response to coastal morphological vulnerability is a multidisciplinary challenge, in which different typology of information, approaches and scales need to be integrated and framed within a consistent dynamical description. To this aim, within the RITMARE National Flagship Project, a specific research line on “Coastal Vulnerability to Erosion and Relative Sea level rise in climate change scenarios” was activated with reference to the Adriatic-Ionian region (Eastern Mediterranean Sea). The activities, supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research 2016-18, move along three interconnected branches, namely: 1) Assessment of vulnerability to relative sea level rise in the Adriatic-Ionian region, in present conditions and in different climate change scenarios; 2) Development of high-resolution oceanographic modelling tools for the description of meteo-marine climate and sediment transport at different scales and rapid response intervention protocols for the evaluation of the impact of erosive events on sandy sediments; 3) Identification of possible geomorphological setting scenarios and definition of intervention strategies, with special care to the exploitment of marine sand as a strategic resource. The work provides an overview of the strategy underlying the Research Line and present preliminary results and main achievements. Next steps will be aiming to pave the way towards a road map for an integrated observational and modelling approach for monitoring and managing the erosion and marine ingression risk throughout Italian coasts, striving to bridge the cultural and methodological gaps between the scientific and administrative sectors active in the coastal management field.

The Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) are a critical component of Maritime Spatial Planning to provide a means to preserve and share geospatial data. Objective of the work is to create a geospatial database to data repository and integration of abiotic/biotic variables, anthropogenic pressures, habitat and species distribution patterns by means of the software suite Geoinformation Enabling Toolkit StarterKit (GET-IT), developed by researchers of the National Research Council for RITMARE project. GET-IT facilitates the creation of distributed nodes of an interoperable SDI and enables unskilled researchers from various scientific domains to create their own Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standard services for distributing geospatial data, observations and metadata of sensors and datasets. Specifically, this work focuses on the case study of sea urchin fishery management in the "Penisola del Sinis - Isola di Mal di Ventre" Marine Protected Area (herein after "Sinis MPA"). This topic was a key example considering that: (1) Paracentrotus lividus is one of the most intensively exploited invertebrates in Sardinia and a key grazer able in shaping the structure of sublittoral assemblages; (2) there are more restrictive rules governing its exploitation inside the reserve even if the MPA is characterized by low levels of legal compliance and enforcement (3) there is wide availability of spatial and temporal data coming from three different institutions (i.e. Sinis MPA, IAMC-CNR, IMC). The products of the present work are the creation of an information system on the sea urchin resource through interoperable tools allowing the data storage in several levels of information, their sharing integrated management and analysis. This tool, facilitating the understanding of the ecological processes and offers an means to discuss with local stakeholders ways to increase the management effectiveness of biological resources and the individuation of possible policy solutions.

A critical component of Maritime Spatial Planning is the establishment of well-curated, federated Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) to provide a means to preserve and share geospatial data while promoting attribution and acknowledgement of its use. Objective of the work is to create a geospatial database of geomorphology, seismic and sedimentology data of Western Sardinian (Italy) marine sector, to share them and to promote planning actions in relation to the management of submerged sand deposits situated in the continental shelf, which can be used for beach nourishment. The work was realized through the integration of data and information collected during several projects. The available data consist of morphobatimetric data (multibeam) associated with the morphoacustic data between -50 and -700 m and singlebeam surveys in low-depth coastal areas. Extensive coverage of high-resolution seismic profiles (Chirp 3.5 kHz) and hundreds of kilometres of sparker profiles were acquired along the continental shelf. Surface sediment sampling (Van Veen grab and box corer) and vibrocorer survey were performed. These data allowed the mapping, determination of the thickness and volumes of the submerged sand deposits and their sedimentological characterization. All data were organized by means of the software suite Geoinformation Enabling Toolkit StarterKit ® (GET-IT), developed by researchers of the National Research Council for RITMARE project. GET-IT facilitates the creation of distributed nodes of an interoperable SDI and enables unskilled researchers from various scientific domains to create their own Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standard services for distributing geospatial data, observations and metadata of sensors and datasets. The products of the work are the creation of an information system of the sand reservoir along the Western Sardinian continental shelf through interoperable tools allowing the data storage in several levels of information, their sharing, and integrated management and analysis.

The adrenal gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula is formed by a dorsal ribbon of chromaffin cells, generally defined as medullary tissue, arranged along a central part of steroidogenic cells considered as cortical tissue. These two tissues produce catecholamines and steroids as part of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal gland axis. Recent studies have demonstrated that Podarcis sicula adrenal gland is not only under hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis control but that several peptides may influence the physiological activity of the gland; among these, vasoactive intestinal peptide is able to enhance strongly both catecholamine and steroid hormone production. The aim of the present study was to verify whether vasoactive intestinal peptide administration could become deleterious. For this reason, we monitored the pattern of expression of two members of the Bcl-2 family, Bcl-2 and Bax, in control and vasoactive intestinal peptide treated specimens. Furthermore, we also tested if peptide treatment induces apoptosis by TUNEL assay.

An higher incidence rate of iatrogenic bile duct injuries is reported in cholecystectomy performed with the laparoscopy than with the laparotomy approach. The aim of this study was to provide a multicentre report on surgical treatment and the outcome of biliary complications during and following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A questionnaire was mailed to all surgeons with experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Campania region. Data were collected from January 1991 to December 2003. Each patient was requested to indicate age, gender, associated diseases, site and type of lesion, surgical experience, diagnosis, treatment and complications. Twenty-six surgeons answered the questionnaire. Fifty-one patients (36 F/15 M; mean age: 42.5 +/- 11.9, range 13-91 years) with bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy were reported. The most frequent lesions were main bile duct partial or total transection. The intraoperative mortality rate was 1/51 (1.9%) due to a complex biliary and vascular injury. The postoperative mortality rate of revision surgery was 5/50 (10%). T-tube positioning (n = 20) and Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy (n = 20) were the procedures most frequently performed. The complication rate in patients treated with the T-tube was significantly higher than in those treated with hepatico-jejunostomy. Surgical treatment of biliary injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy was characterized by unusually high mortality and morbidity for a non-neoplastic disease. Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy remains the procedure of choice for these injuries.

An higher incidence rate of iatrogenic bile duct injuries is reported in cholecystectomy performed with the laparoscopy than with the laparotomy approach. The aim of this study was to provide a multicentre report on surgical treatment and the outcome of biliary complications during and following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A questionnaire was mailed to all surgeons with experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Campania region. Data were collected from January 1991 to December 2003. Each patient was requested to indicate age, gender, associated diseases, site and type of lesion, surgical experience, diagnosis, treatment and complications. Twenty-six surgeons answered the questionnaire. Fifty-one patients (36 F/15 M; mean age: 42.5 +/- 11.9, range 13-91 years) with bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy were reported. The most frequent lesions were main bile duct partial or total transection. The intraoperative mortality rate was 1/51 (1.9%) due to a complex biliary and vascular injury. The postoperative mortality rate of revision surgery was 5/50 (10%). T-tube positioning (n = 20) and Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy (n = 20) were the procedures most frequently performed. The complication rate in patients treated with the T-tube was significantly higher than in those treated with hepatico-jejunostomy. Surgical treatment of biliary injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy was characterized by unusually high mortality and morbidity for a non-neoplastic disease. Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy remains the procedure of choice for these injuries.

Posidonia oceanica Delile (L.) is the most widespread seagrass species of the Mediterranean sea. On the sandy shores, cast litters of this seagrass are deposited as wedge structures from few centimeters to several meters thick defined "banquette". Banquettes are removed from beaches mainly for aesthetic reasons. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential impact of banquette removal from beaches of the Sardinia island from the sedimentological, ecological and geomorphological points of view. Data on banquette management were collected by means of a questionnaire given to the coastal municipalities and private companies in charge of beach-cleaning operations during 2004. P. oceanica banquette removal resulted in a widespread practice applied on 44 beaches (out of 116). Total removed amount for in 2004 was estimated at 106,180 m3. Heavy machines were generally used to remove banquettes. The relationships between the morphology and composition of banquettes and the beach exposure to the dominant waves were analyzed to evaluate the potential impacts of banquette removal on beach geomorphology. GPS survey techniques and banquette sampling were carried out on three beaches characterized by different exposure to dominant waves. Banquettes showed a higher volume, thickness and cross-shore length on exposed beaches, whereas narrower litter deposits were found on the sheltered beach. On exposed beaches, banquettes were deposited in beach sections characterized by changes in elevation. These changes in elevation were mainly due to the deposition and erosion of sediments and secondly to the deposition and or erosion of leaf litter. On the sheltered beach, the variability of beach morphology was low and was restricted to sectors where the banquettes were located. In addition, banquettes represent a temporary sink of biogenic elements for the seagrass ecosystems, and their removal causes a permanent loss of C, N and P. In our study the highest value found of N and P losses were respectively 2.3-5.4% and 0.6-1.2% of the annual plant requirement. Furthermore the removed material were disposed on a unauthorized area, leading to a potential impact on soils. This study highlights that (i) banquette removal could have a strong impact on the beach morphology, particularly on the beachface of exposed beaches, modifying the berm - bar exchange of sediment and seagrass litter; (ii) the sediment removed during the removal operation is permanently lost from the beach system and (iii) a depletion of nutrient and biomass for the coastal ecosystem may occur.

MaGIC è un progetto quinquennale (2007-2012) finanziato dal Dipartimento della Protezione Civile per l'acquisizione di dati morfobatimetrici ad alta risoluzione. Lo scopo principale del progetto è quello di definire e rappresentare i principali elementi morfobatimetrici dei fondali marini, in particolar modo quelli derivanti da dinamiche morfo-sedimentarie che implicano mobilità e/o instabilità dei sedimenti e conseguenti situazioni di pericolosità per le infrastrutture e le aree costiere urbanizzate. A tal fine è prevista la realizzazione della Carta degli Elementi di Pericolosità dei Fondali Marini, costituita da 72 Fogli a scala 1:50.000, di cui 13 di competenza IAMC, attraverso la realizzazione di diverse tipologie di carte tematiche al fine di mettere in risalto aspetti diversi della pericolosità geologica e le differenti scale a cui essa può essere investigata e rappresentata. Le carte tematiche che verranno realizzate costituiranno uno strumento conoscitivo di cui il Dipartimento della Protezione Civile potrà disporre per la gestione dei rischi territoriali, ma anche una base per attività di ricerca in aree marine geologicamente complesse e in gran parte ancora poco conosciute. La Campagna Oceanografica Magic_IAMC_0909 è mirata all'acquisizione della base batimetrica dei primi 3 fogli del settore sardo dell'IAMC, situati nella parte nord occidentale delle coste sarde. Di questi settori non esisteva alcuna base preesistente e rappresentano la prima acquisizione con ecoscandaglio multi fascio realizzata in questa area. La strumentazione installata sull'imbarcazione non consente il completamento della batimetria richiesta dal progetto (dai 50 ai 600 metri di profondità), quindi, in questa prima fase, verrà acquisita la totalità dei settori di piattaforma.

MaGIC è un progetto quinquennale (2007-2012) finanziato dal Dipartimento della Protezione Civile per l'acquisizione di dati morfobatimetrici ad alta risoluzione. Lo scopo principale del progetto è quello di definire e rappresentare i principali elementi morfobatimetrici dei fondali marini, in particolar modo quelli derivanti da dinamiche morfo-sedimentarie che implicano mobilità e/o instabilità dei sedimenti e conseguenti situazioni di pericolosità per le infrastrutture e le aree costiere urbanizzate. A tal fine è prevista la realizzazione della Carta degli Elementi di Pericolosità dei Fondali Marini, costituita da 72 Fogli a scala 1:50.000. Le carte tematiche che verranno realizzate costituiranno uno strumento conoscitivo di cui il Dipartimento della Protezione Civile potrà disporre per la gestione dei rischi territoriali, ma anche una base per attività di ricerca in aree marine geologicamente complesse e in gran parte ancora poco conosciute. La Campagna Oceanografica Magic_IAMC0912 è mirata alla chiusura della base batimetrica del Foglio Castelsardo n°71, del settore sardo affidato all'IAMC dal progetto nazionale. La campagna si è svolta a bordo della Nave Oceanografica Urania che ha in dotazione il Multibeam Simrad EM710 a 100 kHz montato a scafo e il SubBottom profiler Teledyne/Bentos CHIRP III a 13 trasduttori, con cui verranno effettuate acquisizioni di sismica superficiale in contemporanea alle acquisizioni multibeam.

L'UO02 dell'Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, con i fondi e con la collaborazione dell'UO03 dell'AZ1 dell'IAMC sez. di Oristano, ha svolto la prima campagna di rilievi. Questa campagna, preparata nella riunione di UO svoltasi a Oristano a maggio, comprendeva le aree costiere di interesse per il progetto su cui l'UO3 dell'AZ1 effettuerà la parte scientifica.

The adrenal gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula is formed by a dorsal ribbon of chromaffin cells, generally defined as medullary tissue, arranged along a central part of steroidogenic cells considered as cortical tissue. These two tissues produce catecholamines and steroids as part of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal gland axis. Recent studies have demonstrated that Podarcis sicula adrenal gland is not only under hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis control but that several peptides may influence the physiological activity of the gland; among these, vasoactive intestinal peptide is able to enhance strongly both catecholamine and steroid hormone production. The aim of the present study was to verify whether vasoactive intestinal peptide administration could become deleterious. For this reason, we monitored the pattern of expression of two members of the Bcl-2 family, Bcl-2 and Bax, in control and vasoactive intestinal peptide treated specimens. Furthermore, we also tested if peptide treatment induces apoptosis by TUNEL assay.

Habitat mapping and classification is recognised as a central topic in the definition of the quality of marine environment within the framework of the EU Marine Strategy. Acoustic methods for seafloor mapping have been widely developed over the last decades. In particular, the development of swath bathymetry has enabled the creation of detailed maps of seabed topography and acoustic backscatter data; these data have been used to predict sediment and habitat types. The Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC) of CNR of Naples carried out a multidisciplinary study focused on the construction of subsurface sedimentological and bionomic maps along the Maratea coast (Basilicata region, south Tyrrhenian sea) within a marine protect area institution project. For this purpose, acoustic swath bathymetric data were collected, together with sediment sampling and direct scuba investigation on benthic communities.

Habitat mapping and classification is recognised as a central topic in the definition of the quality of marine environment in the framework of the EU Marine Strategy. Acoustic methods for seafloor mapping have been widely developed over the last decades. In particular, the development of swath bathymetry has enabled the creation of detailed maps of seabed topography and acoustic backscatter data; these data have been used to predict sediment and habitat types. The Institute for coastal marine environment (IAMC) of CNR of Naples carried out a multidisciplinary study focused on the construction of subsurface sedimentological and bionomic maps along the Maratea coast (Basilicata region, south Tyrrhenian sea) which represent the raw data for the definition of marine protect area. For this purpose acoustic swath bathymetric data were collected, together with sediment sampling and direct scuba investigation on benthic communities.

A comparative study was performed of three instruments used to measure the grain-size distribution of thirty sediment samples from shallow lagoonal flats: the hydrometer, the Sedigraph 5100 and the CIS-1. The hydrometer and Sedigraph are based on sedimentation whereas the CIS-1 uses the time of transition. The percentage of the samples accounted for by the

Nel giugno 2007 si è svolta la Campagna Oceanografica "Sonos2007" a bordo della N/O Thetis. La campagna ha visto la collaborazione di due sezioni dell'IAMC (Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero - CNR), quella di Oristano e quella di Napoli nell'ambito del progetto Sigla (Sistema Integrato per monitoraggio e Gestione di Laguna e Ambiente) per la caratterizzazione litologica dei fondali nell'area del Golfo di Oristano, della Penisola del Sinis e dell' Isola di Mal di Ventre in una profondità compresa tra i 10 e i 60 metri.

Un sistema di video monitoraggio è stato installato per l'osservazione della spiaggia di Cala di Trana (Palau), una pocket beach inserita tra i siti di campionamento del progetto GERER. Il sistema di video-monitoraggio consiste un una telecamera e due fotocamere che restituiscono diversi inquadramenti della spiaggia. La cadenza dei rilievi è di tre immagini al giorno. Le immagini sono visibili e scaricabili via internet (http://www.imc-it.org/it/webcam.php). Il sistema è corredato di una centralina meteorologica che rileva in continuo i dati di vento, pressione e temperatura del sito. L'analisi delle immagini nel corso di un anno di campionamento ha consentito di registrare diversi cicli di deposizione/erosione delle banquette di Posidonia oceanica associati agli eventi di tempesta.

Presentazione al convegno BBCC 209

Multibeam acoustic data were acquired from the inner shelf of central western Sardinia (western Mediterranean sea) in order to evaluate the relationship between acoustic data (backscatter intensity and angular response) and seabed typologies. The study site is characterized by a complex seabed including sandy and gravelly sediments, Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds growing on sedimentary and hard (i.e. calcareous bio-constructions) substrates. A multibeam survey was carried out in order to collect bathymetric and backscatter data by using a RESON 8111 equipment. The bathymetric range of the acquisition sector was 15-55 m. Ground truth data were collected from 57 stations, by grab sampling and direct inspection by divers. 41 ground truth stations were characterized by sedimentary substrate without benthic vegetation, the remaining by Posidonia oceanica beds. Sediment samples were analyzed for grain size. Sediments were mainly sandy-gravelly. Silt+Clay content did not exceed 20%, while 10 samples showed a gravel content >50%.

Deposition dynamics of banquettes have been investigated on four beach of Sardinia using different techniques. In three beaches deposition dynamics were investigated by means of topographic techniques, by using a RTK DGPS. In one beach the deposition dynamics of banquettes have been studied analyzing the image acquired by a web cam. Banquettes deposition occurs during the final phases of a storm event, when wave energy decreases. The landward limit of banquettes marks the maximum wave run-up, where heavier materials are deposited. The sequence of deposition and erosion of banquettes depend on the availability of litter, and occur several times during one year. Our study identify various sequence of deposition and erosion of banquettes on beach from October to April.

New geophysical and sedimentological data of the Gulf of Oristano and adjacent inner shelf sector are presented in order to analyse the relationships between holocenic carbonate sedimentation and seabed morphology. A multibean survey allowed to map the morphological features present at the entrance of the Gulf, subparallel and NNWSSE elonged, related to a stationary phase of sea level. The analysis of acoustic signal, verified with sediment sampling, allowed to map the distribution of holocenic carbonate sediments and their relationship with inner shelf morphology.

The relationships between the removal of Posidonia oceanica banquette and shoreline retreat was analysed in the bay of Paragan, a pocket beach located in south Corsica. The morphological and sedimentological features of the beach have been compared with another pocket beach, the Pisciucani beach, located in the same sector, with similar characteristics. The results of the study showed that banquette removal in the beach of Paragan caused a retreat of the shoreline evaluated in 10-15 m, probably due to the variation of cross-shore beach profile toward more dissipative conditions.

E' stato predisposto ed applicato un modello utile a classificare le spiagge dell' area costiera dell'Area Marina Protetta (AMP) Penisola del Sinis Isola di Mal di Ventre e ad analizzare la capacità di recupero delle stesse rispetto a fattori naturali ed antropici. La classificazione dei tratti costieri è stata attuata utilizzando metodi di statistica multivariata (analisi fattoriale di tipo R e di tipo Q), analizzando le relazioni tra una serie di variabili rilevate su 13 tratti costieri. L'analisi fattoriale di tipo R ha consentito di estrarre tre fattori, che spiegano l 80% della varianza totale, ed ha permesso di individuare le associazioni di variabili che più influenzano la fascia costiera indagata. L'analisi fattoriale di tipo Q ha permesso di classificare i tratti costieri e di raggrupparli identificando, per gruppi, quali tratti hanno maggiore capacità di recupero rispetto a eventi naturali o a modificazioni di tipo antropico. Sulla base dei risultati ottenuti dalle analisi si sono individuati i tratti della fascia costiera dell'AMP più vulnerabili. Le informazioni ottenute sono state georeferenziate e inserite in ambiente GIS. I risultati ottenuti sono stati forniti all'Ente gestore al fine di facilitare i compiti dello stesso nell'amministrazione della fascia litorale all'interno dell'AMP.

An higher incidence rate of iatrogenic bile duct injuries is reported in cholecystectomy performed with the laparoscopy than with the laparotomy approach. The aim of this study was to provide a multicentre report on surgical treatment and the outcome of biliary complications during and following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A questionnaire was mailed to all surgeons with experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Campania region. Data were collected from January 1991 to December 2003. Each patient was requested to indicate age, gender, associated diseases, site and type of lesion, surgical experience, diagnosis, treatment and complications. Twenty-six surgeons answered the questionnaire. Fifty-one patients (36 F/15 M; mean age: 42.5 +/- 11.9, range 13-91 years) with bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy were reported. The most frequent lesions were main bile duct partial or total transection. The intraoperative mortality rate was 1/51 (1.9%) due to a complex biliary and vascular injury. The postoperative mortality rate of revision surgery was 5/50 (10%). T-tube positioning (n = 20) and Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy (n = 20) were the procedures most frequently performed. The complication rate in patients treated with the T-tube was significantly higher than in those treated with hepatico-jejunostomy. Surgical treatment of biliary injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy was characterized by unusually high mortality and morbidity for a non-neoplastic disease. Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy remains the procedure of choice for these injuries.