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We designed a method for creating 3D models of objects and areas from two aerial images acquired from an UAV. The models are generated automatically and in real-time, and consist in dense and true-colour reconstructions of the considered areas, which give the impression to the operator to be physically present within the scene. The proposed method only needs a cheap compact camera, mounted on a small UAV. No additional instrumentation is necessary, so that the costs are very limited. The method consists of two main parts: the design of the acquisition system and the 3D reconstruction algorithm. In the first part, the choices for the acquisition geometry and for the camera parameters are optimized, in order to yield the best performance. In the second part, a reconstruction algorithm extracts the 3D model from the two acquired images, maximizing the accuracy under the real-time constraint. A test was performed in monitoring a construction yard, obtaining very promising results. Highly realistic and easy-to-interpret 3D models of objects and areas of interest were produced in less than one second, with an accuracy of about 0.5m. For its characteristics, the designed method is suitable for video-surveillance, remote sensing and monitoring, especially in those applications that require intuitive and reliable information quickly, as disasters monitoring, search and rescue and area surveillance.

The present work shows that the exposure of mesothelial cells to simulated microgravity changes their cytoskeleton and adhesion proteins, leading to a cell switch from normal towards tumoral cells. Immunohistochemical and molecular data were obtained from both MeT-5A exposed to simulated microgravity and BR95 mesothelioma cell lines. Simulated microgravity was found to affect the expression of actin, vinculin, and connexin-43, altering their quantitative and spatial distribution pattern inside the cell. The analysis of the tumoral markers p27, CD44, Fibulin-3, and NANOG and the expression of genes related to cancer transformation such as NANOG, CDH-1, and Zeb-1 showed that the simulated microgravity environment led to expression patterns in MeT-5A cells similar to those observed in BR95 cells. The alteration in both quantitative expression and structural organization of the cytoskeleton and adhesion/communication proteins can thus be considered a pivotal mechanism involved in the cellular shift towards tumoral progression.

During the period 1922-37, both the British and Italians launched institutes for educational cinematography and collaborated in the creation of the League of Nations' International Educational Cinematographic Institute. Their leading newspapers dedicated entire sections to the advertising of educational campaigns through cinema. Comparing official documents and the print apparatus about the establishment and the activities of two institutes for educational cinema in Europe gives us a perception of how similarly and differently the British and Italians used their educational films to convey imperial sentiments and rhetoric into civilian life during fifteen years of colonial rule.

The abandonment of inhabited places is a phenomenon widespread on a global scale that has spanned centuries. It has led to the birth of the so-called ‘ghost towns’. These lifeless sites dot the internal Mediterranean and European areas, testifying to the changeability of the human settlements. Through a vision that reverses the paradigm that epitomises the ‘ghost towns’, these places can be transformed from a problem into an opportunity for the development of the territories that host them. The main topic of this article is to present and update investigations performed on three abandoned settlements sited in Portugal, Italy, and Albania in view of their tourist exploitation, considering three different tailored strategies: underwater tourism, dark tourism, and heritage tourism. For each site, we analysed the site history, the abandonment causes, and the territorial-geological features, thus arguing for the possible valorisation and enjoyment approaches with special attention to digital technologies, which are highly underexploited in the sector. This study, which is part of an international research landscape still in the initial stages, falls within the BEGIN project (aBandonment vErsus reGeneratIoN), which aims to develop a multilevel methodological–operational protocol useful in regional, national, EU, and non-EU contexts for the dissemination of knowledge, conservation, regeneration, valorisation, management, and fruition of areas classified as a ‘ghost town’. The research findings can be useful for scholars, practitioners, and local entities entrusted to manage the abandoned towns. Furthermore, the methodological approach followed in this research can supply useful insights into aims to valorise and enjoy worldwide ‘ghost towns’.

Investigational drug services need to be organised in a structured approach, especially for sites with a large number of ongoing clinical trials. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to assess the complexity of pharmacy involvement in a sponsored oncology clinical trial. Categorisation into ordinal complexity categories was used to assess the complexity of the clinical trials for consistent pharmacy grant applications. The 15 items of the tool were divided into three sections, and individual item scores were agreed upon among four pharmacists with experience in the conduct of clinical trials at two different centres. A final version of the tool, named Pharm-CAT, was approved. The pharmacists were instructed to use Pharm-CAT to assign a score to each new sponsored trial. To determine the cut-offs for the complexity categories, the scores were sorted in ascending order and the cut-offs corresponding to the first and third tertiles of the score distribution were selected. To verify the reproducibility of the results, Pharm-CAT was applied by two pharmacists independently for each trial. Pharm-CAT proved to be user-friendly. Sixty clinical trials were evaluated and a total of 120 scores were recorded. Low-complexity scores ranged from 0 to 19, medium-complexity scores ranged from 20 to 25, and high-complexity scores were 26 or higher. The average score recorded was 22.88 points. Prospective multicentre validation of Pharm-CAT is needed to confirm its applicability.

Sedentary behaviour (SB) is associated with an increased risk of metabolic issues (negative effects on diabetes, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and waist circumference), cardiovascular diseases, increased risk of all-cause mortality and accelerated ageing of skeletal muscle power. The research on SB is relatively new, with much evidence regarding its negative health effects gathered within the last decade. Office workers exhibit pronounced sedentary habits, with studies indicating they can spend up to 82% of their working day sitting. To address this issue, workplaces are responsible for promoting physical activity and minimising SB among employees. In this context, one potential strategy for reducing SB and its associated risks could be implementing active breaks (ABs). ABs are defined as brief, structured periods of physical activity or exercise. This quasi-experimental pilot study aims to implement workplace ABs programme aimed at interrupting SB among the University of Bologna (Italy) workers, and it will include both intervention and control groups. The intervention group will participate in an 8-week ABs programme. The findings from this study could establish a robust basis for future large-scale research on the effectiveness of ABs interventions in workplace settings.

Placed as a hinge between analysis and decisions, the diagnosis involves interpretations on whose correctness may depend the restorations’ outcome and the building’s future life. In the diagnosis’ context, an important role is played by the knowledge of the restoration interventions’ history and investigations in order to orient new diagnostic investigations and to compare data acquired at different times with the aim to integrating them and discovering constructive and structural variations occurred. This integrated methodology aspires to multiple objectives including the design of a new investigation plan made reliable and effective through ‘archival diagnostics’. In this sense, archival research stands as a means of adding information on the conservation history and degradation, representing a useful diagnostic tool. Hence the intention to begin a reasoning on the added value that the anamnesis and diagnosis based on archive data can provide from a cognitive and design point of view.

Olfactory dysfunction is a common non-motor symptom associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). This condition usually appears before the onset of the cardinal motor symptoms and is still poorly understood. Here, we generated a mouse model of early-stage PD based on partial 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of the dorsal striatum to reproduce the olfactory deficit and associated cellular and electrophysiological anomalies observed in patients. Using this model, we investigated the effect of long-term, continuous administration of pramipexole, a dopamine D2/3 selective agonist, on olfactory dysfunction. We found that pramipexole reverted the impairment of odor discrimination displayed by the mouse model in the habituation/dishabituation test. In line with similar observations in PD patients, the mouse model showed an increase of dopamine cells paralleled by augmented levels of the dopamine marker, tyrosine hydroxylase, in the olfactory bulb (OB). These changes, which have been proposed to contribute to olfactory dysfunction, were abolished by oral administration of pramipexole. Local field potential recording in the OB of 6-OHDA lesion mice showed reduced oscillations in the beta frequency range, in comparison to healthy control mice. This abnormality, which is suggestive of defective long range OB transmission, was also counteracted by pramipexole. Altogether these findings indicate that prolonged pharmacological stimulation of dopamine D2-like receptors rescues olfactory discrimination observed in experimental parkinsonism. Moreover, they show that this protective effect is exerted in parallel to a normalization of dopamine neurons and beta band oscillations in the OB, providing information on the potential mechanisms involved in PD-related olfactory dysfunction.

Oxymorons combine two opposite terms in a paradoxical manner. They are closely intertwined with antonymy, since the union of antonymous items creates the paradoxical effect of the oxymoron and generates a new meaning. Compared to other forms of figurative language, oxymorons are largely underinvestigated. We explored what makes good oxymorons through a crowdsourcing task in which we asked participants to judge the acceptability, comprehensibility, effectiveness/aptness, commonness, pleasantness, and humoristic connotation of Italian adjective–noun oxymorons. We hypothesized that oxymorons featuring morphologically related antonyms (felice infelicità ‘happy unhappiness’) may be perceived to be better than oxymorons featuring morphologically unrelated antonyms (felice tristezza ‘happy sadness’) and that oxymorons constructed by complementaries (esatta inesattezza ‘exact inexactness’) may be perceived to be better than oxymorons constructed by contraries (bella bruttezza ‘beautiful ugliness’). The results confirmed only partially our hypotheses: oxymorons with complementaries were perceived as more acceptable, comprehensible, effective/apt, common, whereas no strong trend was found for the other two dimensions. Surprisingly, our analyses revealed that oxymoronic constructions containing morphologically unrelated words were perceived as more acceptable, comprehensible, effective/apt, common, pleasant, contradicting our initial expectations.

Resumen: Las variaciones de los vasos que surgen del arco aórtico son numerosas1, reportándose según la literatura consultada entre el 6 al 49% en diversos países. La mayoría de las variantes son descritas como asintomáticas. No obstante, algunas se han asociado con síntomas significativos y problemas quirúrgicos serios, causados por efectos de la compresión o presión que ejercen esas variantes sobre la tráquea o el esófago2. Presentamos el caso de una variante que no encontramos descripción previa en la literatura la cual fue un hallazgo transquirúrgico durante una corrección de un paciente neonato con diagnóstico de coartación aortica. Abstract: The variations of the vessels that arise from the aortic arch are numerous, reported according to the literature consulted between 6 to 49% in various countries. Most variants are described as asymptomatic. However, some have been associated with significant symptoms and serious surgical problems, caused by the effects of compression or pressure that these variants exert on the trachea or esophagus. We present the case of a variant that we found no previous description in the literature, which was a trans surgical finding during a correction of a neonatal patient with a diagnosis of aortic coarctation.

BackgroundThe eco-climatic crisis has been defined by the World Health Organization as the “single biggest health threat facing humanity,” influencing both the emergence of zoonoses and the spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases. The aim of this survey was to explore knowledge, eco-anxiety and attitudes toward the ecological and climate crisis among young Italian doctors and medical students.MethodsA cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023, by administering an anonymous questionnaire to Italian doctors and students of medicine. Endpoint of the study was a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) score on ecological and climate crisis (0–20 points). Association between variables and KAP score was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis’ or Spearman’s test, as appropriate, and significant variables were included into ordinal regression model and reported as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsBoth KAP and eco-anxiety scores showed acceptable levels of consistency with Cronbach’s alpha. A total of 605 medical doctors and students living in 19 Italian regions were included in the study. Median age [Q1-Q3] was 27.6 [24.1–31.3] and females were 352 (58.2%). Despite showing good attitudes toward climate action, knowledge gap were found, with 42.5% (n = 257) of the respondents not knowing the temperature limits set by the Paris Agreements and 45.5% (n = 275) believing that climate change is caused by sunspots. Fears suggestive for eco-anxiety were common. At multivariable ordinal regression, high levels of eco-anxiety (aOR 1.29, p = 0.001) and low trust in government action (aOR 1.96, p = 0.003) were associated with a higher KAP score. Only one Italian medical school offered an educational module on climate change.ConclusionYoung Italian doctors and medical students are concerned about the climate crisis but show poor knowledge of these topics. The Italian academic system should urgently respond to this need.

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine the surgical indications for glenoid bone grafting associated with better postoperative ranges of motion. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA. The included studies were subdivided according to the criteria used to indicate glenoid bone graft surgery: group for radiological indications only (Group R), group for radiological indications associated with clinical indications (Group R + C), and group for arthroscopic indications (Group A). The extracted and evaluated data were the range of motion of the shoulder. Results: in the electronic search conducted in October 2022, 1567 articles were selected. After applying the inclusion criteria, 14 articles were selected for the systematic review. Regarding the ranges of motion, group A had the highest number of statistically positive results together with group R. Group A showed positive results in elevation parameters, loss of lateral rotation in adduction, and medial rotation in abduction. Group R showed positive results in lateral rotation in adduction and loss of lateral rotation in adduction. On the other hand, Group R + C was the one that presented the highest number of statistically negative results, in the following parameters: elevation, lateral rotation in abduction, loss of lateral rotation in adduction, and medial rotation in abduction. Conclusion: the subgroups presented variable results in the evaluated parameters; however, the groups with arthroscopic and radiological indications showed the highest number of positive results, with the latter group showing the best results regarding lateral rotation. Level of Evidence II, Systematic Reviews.

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: A medida que la supervivencia de los niños con cardiopatía congénita intervenidos de cirugía cardiaca ha aumentado significativamente, la necesidad de seguimiento en términos de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud se ha vuelto cada vez más importante. En este estudio, describimos la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en niños con cardiopatía congénita con y sin reparación quirúrgica. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo. Aplicamos el cuestionario Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) en 271 pacientes con edades de 2 a 17 años, de los que acudieron a consulta de cardiología tanto en protocolo prequirúrgico como posquirúrgico. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud se expresó como puntaje total (100 más alto) y se proporcionó como medianas y porcentajes de 10 a 100. Resultados: Incluimos a 271 pacientes de 2 a 17 años, el 94,8% con un corazón biventricular. La cirugía cardiaca se realizó en el 67,8%. Los principales factores que afectaron de forma negativa en la calidad de vida fueron la fisiología univentricular, la presencia de cortocircuito residual, requerir otra cirugía, el manejo con polifármacos y el acceso quirúrgico por esternotomía media. Conclusión: Los pacientes con cardiopatías congénitas no solo presentan su enfermedad principal, sino que también experimentan una calidad de vida que puede afectarse por factores sociales, educativos y emocionales. La evaluación de la calidad de vida de la salud debe ser parte integral en la evaluación de estos pacientes. Abstract: Introduction and objectives: As the survival of children with congenital heart disease who have undergone cardiac surgery has increased significantly, the need for follow-up in terms of health related quality of life has become increasingly important. In this study, we sought to describe the health related quality of life in children with congenital heart disease with and without surgical repair. Methods: We applied the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) questionary in 271 patients aged 2 to 17 years, of the patients who attended the cardiology clinic both pre surgery and postsurgery. Health related quality of life was expressed as a total score (highest 100) and provided as medians and percentages from 10 to 100. Results: We included 271 patients from 2 to 17 years old, 94.8% had a biventricular heart. Cardiac surgery was performed in 67.8% The main factor that negatively affected quality of life were univentricular physiology, the presence of residual shunt, requiring another surgery, management with polidrugs, and surgical access through median sternotomy. Conclusion: Patients with congenital heart disease nor only suffer from their main disease, but also experience a quality of life that can be affected by social, educational and emotional factors. The assessment of quality of life by health professionals should be an integral part of the evaluation of these patients.

The tectonic evolution of highly oblique continental margins that result from extension above lithospheric subduction–transform edge propagator (STEP) faults is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the case of the Alboran margin in the eastern Betics characterized by crustal thinning of 15–10 km, oblique to the direction of slab retreat. The current deformation patterns indicate that oblique rifting is underway. However, it is unclear whether these conditions are those that prevailed during the formation of the metamorphic domes and intramontane basins. We review the temporal and spatial evolution of Neogene sedimentary basins and brittle deformation in the eastern Betics and exploit offshore seismic reflection lines to propose a crustal-scale section across the oblique margin. The history of sediment infill and rates of subsidence combined with the analyses of fault slip data confirm that brittle extension oriented from north 20∘ E to E–W occurred during an interval spanning from the Serravallian–early Tortonian to the late Tortonian (14–8 Ma). This extension is associated with both normal and strike-slip regimes and the evolution of the strike-slip fault zones flanking the metamorphic domes. The transtensional model forms a coherent scheme linking the ductile deformation associated with metamorphic domes and the formation of E–W- and NW–SE- or NNW–SSE-directed sedimentary basins in the brittle upper crust during the Tortonian. The oblique extension, which is closely associated with STEP faulting, occurred during the regional convergence between Africa and Iberia since the Miocene. Only recently, around 8 Ma, has slab detachment started to migrate westward, leading to tectonic inversion in the eastern Betics. Such a type of narrow oblique-rifted margin associated with transform-like plate boundaries is not unique but is expected to be hardly preserved in the geological record due to the transient nature of retreating subduction systems.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of using an AI model, specifically ChatGPT-3.5, in remote sensing (RS) applied to archaeological research. It assessed the model’s abilities in several aspects, in accordance with a multi-level analysis of its usefulness: providing answers to both general and specific questions related to archaeological research; identifying and referencing the sources of information it uses; recommending appropriate tools based on the user’s desired outcome; assisting users in performing basic functions and processes in RS for archaeology (RSA); assisting users in carrying out complex processes for advanced RSA; and integrating with the tools and libraries commonly used in RSA. ChatGPT-3.5 was selected due to its availability as a free resource. The research also aimed to analyse the user’s prior skills, competencies, and language proficiency required to effectively utilise the model for achieving their research goals. Additionally, the study involved generating JavaScript code for interacting with the free Google Earth Engine tool as part of its research objectives. Use of these free tools, it was possible to demonstrate the impact that ChatGPT-3.5 can have when embedded in an archaeological RS flowchart on different levels. In particular, it was shown to be useful both for the theoretical part and for the generation of simple and complex processes and elaborations.

Global public goods and the contrast to global public bads require a dramatic change in the international monetary system, enforcement capacity, democratic legitimation, the return to regionalism and multilateralism. Pending the emergence of a more equitable global reserve and payments system, an increased use of the Special Drawing Rights, channeled through Multilateral Development Banks, may help managing the transition towards the provision of such global public goods. This would also provide a guidance for the reduction of Central Banks’ balance sheets, the financialization of the economy and an increase of real investment, thus anchoring the whole international economy to a less vulnerable and volatile monetary structure.

Gravity is a primary physical force that has a profound influence on the stability of the cell cytoskeleton. In our research, we investigated the influence of microgravity on altering the cytoskeletal pathways of glioblastoma cells. The highly infiltrative behavior of glioblastoma is supported by cytoskeletal dynamics and surface proteins that allow glioblastoma cells to avoid stable connections with the tissue environment and other cells. Glioblastoma cell line C6 was exposed to a microgravity environment for 24, 48, and 72 h by 3D-RPM, a laboratory instrument recognized to reproduce the effect of microgravity in cell cultures. The immunofluorescence for GFAP, vinculin, and Connexin-43 was investigated as signals related to cytoskeleton dynamics. The polymerization of GFAP and the expression of focal contact structured by vinculin were found to be altered, especially after 48 and 72 h of microgravity. Connexin-43, involved in several intracellular pathways that critically promote cell motility and invasion of glioma cells, was found to be largely reduced following microgravity exposure. In conclusion, microgravity, by reducing the expression of Connexin-43, alters the architecture of specific cytoskeletal elements such as GFAP and increases the focal contact, which can induce a reduction in glioma cell mobility, thereby inhibiting their aggressive metastatic behavior.