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Twenty-four individuals of Albunea carabus (Linnaeus, 1758), a species rarely reported in the Mediterranean Sea, have recently been collected in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy) in hydraulic dredge surveys carried out to assess local razor clam stocks. They were found in sandy bottoms at depths of 1–6 m in association with the commercial bivalves Ensis minor and Chamelea gallina and the decapods Diogenes pugilator, Portumnus latipes and Liocarcinus vernalis. The distribution of the species in the Italian seas is described based on a careful search of the available records. Notes on its reproductive biology and autoecology are also included.

In the Mediterranean Sea, where bottom trawling for demersal species is the most important fishery in terms of landings, around 75% of the assessed fish stocks are overfished. Its status as one of the world’s most heavily exploited seas and the one subject to the highest trawling pressure has become a global concern. An extensive review of bottom trawl selectivity studies was performed to assess the sustainability of this fishery in the Mediterranean; the selectivity parameters were collected from 93 peer-reviewed publications of 10 countries, totalling 742 records and 65 species. The review highlighted that i) the catch of bottom trawls commonly employed in the Mediterranean, even complying with current regulations on codend meshes, still includes immature individuals for 64-68% of the species investigated, and individuals under the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) for 78% of the species investigated, and that ii) the MCRS set for 59% of the species analyzed is well below their length at first maturity, and is therefore ecologically inadequate. Although square-mesh codends are slightly more selective, the models developed herein demonstrate that improving size and species selectivity would require considerably larger meshes, which may significantly reduce profitability. The urgent need to reduce the biological impacts of bottom trawling in the Mediterranean should be addressed by promoting the adoption of more ecologically sustainable fishing gears through the introduction of more selective meshes or gear modifications.

Stock overexploitation, bycatch, discards and gear impacts on the environment are outstanding issues for Mediterranean fisheries. The adoption of alternative fishing gears is an appealing solution to ensure a more sustainable exploitation of resources. We discuss the pros and cons of pots as alternative gears by reviewing their main designs, spatial distribution and target species in the Mediterranean basin. We assessed the technical factors affecting the catch efficiency of the different pot designs for four target species: spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas; Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus; common octopus, Octopus vulgaris and pandalid shrimps, Plesionika spp. We found that pot volume is important to catch Octopus; mesh size to catch Nephrops and Plesionika; entrance surface to catch Octopus, Nephrops and Plesionika; pot shape/colour and entrance shape/position to catch Octopus and Plesionika; and bait type to catch Octopus and Nephrops. The literature review shows that pot fisheries have several considerable advantages over conventional gears, especially in terms of discards, bycatch, seabed impacts (particularly compared with bottom trawls and passive set nets), size and species selectivity, gear depredation, catch quality and gear cost, besides saving time and labour. Disadvantages hampering their wider diffusion include ghost fishing, a low catch of finfish species, the narrow range of species targeted by each pot design and the current early stage of research. These data make a clear case for using pots as alternative gears to traditional ones in the Mediterranean Sea in some areas and seasons to catch certain target species.

The striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) is the main edible bivalve living in Italian waters. According to Regulation (EU) 2020/2237, undersized specimens (total length of the shell, C. gallina specimens of different size classes that had undergone hydraulic dredging and mechanized sorting were analysed for reburial ability in a laboratory tank and for survivability in the laboratory (135 clams, 21 days) and at sea (320 clams, 15 days). In the tank experiments, the reburial times (T50 and T90) and the upper (+) and lower (−) confidence intervals (CIs) of the whole sample were about 4 h (CI+ 4.4, CI− 3.6) and 8 h (CI+ 8.2, CI− 7.7), respectively, and were significantly shorter for the medium-sized clams (22–24.9 mm) than for the smallest ( 25 mm) specimens. For the field survivability experiments, clams under and above the minimum conservation reference size were placed in separate metal cages. Survival rates were 94.8% and 96.2% respectively in the laboratory and at sea, without significant differences between the two experiments or among size classes. These findings conclusively demonstrate that C. gallina specimens returned to the sea have a very high survival probability and that they can contribute to mitigate the overexploitation of natural populations.

The striped venus clam Chamelea gallina is the target of a large fleet of hydraulic dredgers, which represent an important fishing sector in terms of income and landings in the Mediterranean Sea. Although there is information on the catch rates, impact and discards related to this fishery, the size selection process carried out by the dredge during trawl under commercial conditions is practically unknown. The present study aimed to fill this gap, assessing the selectivity of the gear at different haul durations. We demonstrated that 25% of the clams entering the dredge were not size selected by it. Clams with a length (i.e. maximum distance between anterior and posterior margins) of 18.9 mm had 50% retention probability and tow duration did not affect the size selection process in the dredge. The dredge catch efficiency was 79% in numbers of clams and 89% in weight. 58% of the clams caught were below the minimum conservation reference size of 25 mm. The study demonstrates that to land only the legal sizes of clams, the additional size selection process carried out on board the fishing vessels by the sorting sieves is necessary.

This paper evaluates the effect of changing from a diamond mesh codend (T0) to a 90° turned mesh codend (T90) on the size selectivity of seven commercially important species in the Mediterranean bottom trawl fishery. In sea trials conducted in the north-western Adriatic, two experimental codends made of 54 mm nominal mesh size netting and differing only in mesh configuration were alternately mounted on the same trawl. Overall, the T90 mesh significantly improved codend size selection for all the species analysed. The difference in the predicted average L50 values between the T90 and T0 codend was particularly marked in European hake ( Merluccius merluccius , 21.26 vs 11.26 cm total length), common squid ( Loligo vulgaris , 12.06 vs 7.88 cm mantle length) and mantis shrimp ( Squilla mantis , 20.78 vs 13.35 mm carapace length). Both codends showed an excessive size selectivity, which involves a commercial loss, especially for red mullet ( Mullus barbatus ), Mediterranean horse mackerel ( Trachurus mediterraneus ) and whiting ( Merlangius merlangus ). These findings demonstrate the efficiency of the T90 configuration in excluding undersized specimens, especially of hake, whose average L50 was above the minimum conservation reference size of 20 cm. The adoption of this practical and inexpensive solution can contribute to improve the management of the demersal resources targeted by the Mediterranean bottom trawl fishery.

Age and growth studies provide critical data for clam fishery management. Three aging techniques, thin sections and acetate peel replicas – which involve shell sectioning – and surface growth rings were used to estimate the age and growth of Chamelea gallina populations in the mid-western Adriatic Sea. Their results were compared to identify the most reliable and least time-consuming approach. There were no significant differences between the two shell sectioning techniques (χ2 = 4.66, df = 3, p = 0.198), which were described by the same von Bertalanffy (VBF) growth curve parameters (L8 = 43.9, k = 0.26, t0 = −0.84), whereas significantly different L8 and k values were found between the two shell sectioning techniques and surface growth rings (L8: χ2 = 13.62, df = 1, p < 0.001; k: χ2 = 9.18, df = 1, p < 0.002; these statistics refer to the comparison between acetate peels and surface growth rings). The latter approach proved unreliable and error-prone, as it underestimated age and overestimated the growth rate (L8 = 26.4, k = 1.91, t0 = −0.11). Although the thin sections and acetate peel techniques both provide reliable age and growth estimates, the former approach was less time-consuming. Our analyses demonstrated that shell growth is slower in the cold season and in older specimens and that it has slowed down over the past few decades.

Length–weight relationships of bivalve species collected during razor clam (Ensis minor) surveys along Italian coastal waters (Northern Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Sea) in the 3-year period 2016–2018 are reported. A total of 13,588 individuals, belonging to 12 bivalve species and 20 populations between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, were sampled for this study. Analyzing growth parameters for each population, we found 11 allometries and nine isometries. About half of the species investigated showed different growth characteristics between the two areas.

The seismic events that occurred in central Italy in 2016 severely damaged the rich cultural heritage system present in the area hit by the earthquake. Particularly significant is the situation of the Marche Region, here it is necessary to intervene quickly and effectively in order to preserve and secure the damaged historical architectural heritage. Following the agreement signed in 2019 between the administration of the Municipality of San Ginesio and the Marche Polytechnic University, a collaboration has been established, which is the basis of the present research work, aimed at studying and deepening the possible actions to be undertaken to be able to repair, preserve and enhance the medieval walls of the city. The city walls, dating from the fourteenth century A.D., almost completely surround the historic center of the city and are characterized by the presence of a large part of the ancient fortifications such as towers, access doors, defensive walkways, loopholes, etc. Since there is no complete survey of the planimetric configuration and of the elevations of the medieval walls, updated to the situation created after the earthquake, the first phase of the research focused on data acquisition. Combining DJI Spark MMA1 photogrammetric UAV images with cloud point by Mobile laser SLAM Kaarta Stencil, the 3D-dimensional modelling of the walls was obtained with the accuracy related to the output scale of 1:200 and with a detail and complexity useful for the following conservative analysis. Once the data was acquired and processed, it was possible to carry out a complete analysis of the walls structure, identifying the materials and construction techniques, the state of preservation of the materials, the damage situation to the structures, the various construction phases with the consequent relative dating. The analytical phase was concluded, therefore, with the identification and cataloging of the types of walls present. Each of these has been characterized both from a typological and a technical construction point of view, defining the wall quality (IQM) and the consequent mechanical parameters through the calculation process of the Wall Quality Index.

The use of laboratory animals in biomedical research is a matter of intense public debate. Recent statistics indicates that about half of the western population, sensitive to this discussion, would be in favor of animal testing while the other half would oppose it. Here, outlining scientific, historical, ethical, and philosophical aspects, we provide an integrated view explaining the reasons why biomedical research can hardly abandon laboratory animal testing. In this paper, we retrace the historical moments that mark the relationship between humans and other animal species. Then starting from Darwin's position on animal experimentation, we outline the steps that over time allowed the introduction of laws and rules that regulate animals' use in biomedical research. In our analysis, we present the perspectives of various authors, with the aim of delineating a theoretical framework within which to insert the ethical debate on laboratory animals research. Through the analysis of fundamental philosophical concepts and some practical examples, we propose a view according to which laboratory animals experimentation become ethically acceptable as far as it is guided by the goal of improving humans and other animal species (i.e., pets) life. Among the elements analyzed, there is the concept of responsibility that only active moral subjects (humans) have towards themselves and towards passive moral subjects (other animal species). We delineate the principle of cruelty that is useful to understand why research in laboratory animals should not be assimilated to a cruel act. Moreover, we touch upon the concepts of necessity and "good cause" to underline that, if biomedical research would have the possibility to avoid using animals, it would surely do that. To provide an example of the negative consequences occurring from not allowing laboratory animal research, we analyze the recent experience of Covid-19 epidemic. Finally, recalling the principle of "heuristics and biases" by Kahneman, we discuss why scientists should reconsider the way they are conveying information about their research to the general public.

BackgroundThe Mediterranean swordfish stock is overfished and considered not correctly managed. Elucidating the patterns of the Mediterranean swordfish population structure constitutes an essential prerequisite for effective management of this fishery resource. To date, few studies have investigated intra-Mediterranean swordfish population structure, and their conclusions are controversial.MethodsA panel of 20 microsatellites DNA was used to investigate fine-scale population structuring of swordfish from six main fishing areas of the Mediterranean Sea.ResultsThis study provides evidence to reject the hypothesis of a single swordfish population within the Mediterranean Sea. DAPC analysis revealed the presence of three genetic clusters and a high level of admixture within the Mediterranean Sea. Genetic structure was supported by significantFSTvalues while mixing was endorsed by the heterozygosity deficit observed in sampling localities indicative of a possible Wahlund effect, by sampling admixture individuals. Overall, our tests reject the hypothesis of a single swordfish population within the Mediterranean Sea. Homing towards the Mediterranean breeding areas may have generated a weak degree of genetic differentiation between populations even at the intra-basin scale.

Alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV) is a rare but fatal lung disorder, which causes persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and which is unresponsive to treatment. We report the case of two siblings, both of whom died a few hours after birth because of severe pulmonary failure. Post-mortem histology confirmed ACD/MPV as the cause of death in both cases, and genetic analysis identified the same 16p13.3 deletion. ACD/MPV can occur suddenly in apparently healthy newborns after a regular pregnancy, and always leads to death. Nevertheless, an autopsy is not always performed after the death of an infant. For these reasons ACD/MPV represents a challenge for diagnosis and therapeutic management with medicolegal implications. Prenatal assessment of ACD/MPV is very difficult, and it should be suspected when irreversible and persistent fetal circulation occurs rapidly in newborns. An early diagnosis during pregnancy would facilitate adequate counselling regarding treatment and prognosis. When death occurs, a complete autopsy with histological and genetic investigations is recommended in order to define the exact cause of death, and potentially inform appropriate genetic counselling of family members who could be affected by hereditary disorders.

The sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is the most common sea turtle in the Mediterranean, where incidental catches due to fishing activities are considered the main threat to its conservation. Over 50,000 capture events and likely over 10,000 deaths are estimated to occur in the Italian waters alone. However, current knowledge on the interaction of sea turtles with fishing gears and the implementation of mitigation measures are still poor to hinder the decline of turtle populations in the Mediterranean. In this basin, where fisheries are multispecies, multi-gears and multinational, making demersal fishing activities profitable while preserving sea turtles is a challenge. This study aimed to develop bycatch reducer devices (BRDs) and alternative fishing gears to mitigate the impact of demersal fishing gears on sea turtles: (a) hard and flexible turtle excluder devices (TEDs) were tested in bottom trawling to immediately exclude turtles from the net; (b) visual deterrents (ultraviolet LEDs) were used to illuminate set nets and to alter turtle visual cues, avoiding entanglement during depredation activity. The results showed the different devices did not affect the commercial catch, while bycatch reduction was instead evident. Thus, the study highlights that introducing mitigation measures to reduce sea turtle bycatch in the Mediterranean, where the bycatch of vulnerable species seems as a global issue, can be possible at least in certain areas and periods. Considering fishermen reticence to change the gear traditionally used, determining the optimal gear configuration to minimize commercial loss while reducing bycatch, is the main issue while introducing new technologies. Therefore, a global effort should be done to introduce BRDs in different areas and fisheries of the Mediterranean.

Relevant, historically, it is the role of the Diocese of Fermo (Italy) in the Vatican organization dedicated to vast ecclesiastical patrimony on the territory of the Marche region. In this context, for the peculiarity of its identity and its property, the object of this study is the “Chiesa della Pietà”. This research starts with the photogrammetric survey to document and analyse the existing condition of the church. The data acquisition provides many scans following a network schema and the photographic survey allows to create orthoimages to make more realistic the 3D representation. Once acquired the geometric and material survey, a series of investigations have been carried out to assess the surface degradation and the material decay of the external façades and internal environments. Furthermore, some structural problems have been occurred, investigating and verifying the presence of advanced stages of deterioration of the wooden structures and the restoration of these structural elements must be mandatory. To take under control the decay and to propose a restoration step, we have arranged the 3D model in HBIM software with different LOD, according to the BIM Forum Level of Development Specification (2016), suitable to develop a well-structured information system. Before the 3D modelling phase, a decomposition of the building is useful to implement a semantic classification of the architectural elements. Basing on a hierarchy of classes and subclasses, the dedicated database organizes the building components assigning an ID-code to the features, putting in evidence materials decay by a thematic mapping.

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot of biodiversity, but the high fishing pressure results in high bycatch rates of protected (sea turtles and cetaceans) and top predator species (sharks). The reduction of bycatch is challenging for fishery scientists, as conservation of these species has become a priority. Among the animals threatened by fishing activities, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) represents a charismatic species considered as “vulnerable” at the global scale by IUCN.In the Mediterranean Sea, trawl nets show the highest probabilities of bycatch of protected species, with high rates of mortality. A new flexible Turtle Excluder Device (TED) has been tested for the first time on a commercial scale in the Mediterranean Sea to assess its effectiveness in reducing bycatch. The results did not show any significant (α = 0.05) loss in terms of commercial weight, but a significant reduction of debris in the codend of the nets mounting the TED respect to traditional nets. The catch comparison of the main commercial species showed similar rates without any significant loss of sizes, with the only exception of anglerfishes (Lophiusspp.) that showed a loss of the largest individuals by TED. In terms of bycatch, the traditional nets captured mostly rays and sharks, while no turtles were captured, at all. In this regard, the authors were informed by other vessels operating in the same areas at the time of the trials about some accidental catches of loggerhead turtles. Our results demonstrated that the flexible TED represents a practical and effective solution to reduce the bycatch of endangered species in coastal Mediterranean demersal multispecies fisheries, as demonstrated experimentally also in other areas of the world. The measures involving technical modifications of fishing gears require significant investments but are technically feasible and could guarantee the success of the conservation.

La edición de este conjunto de textos en formato libro –no impreso, digital– reúne una gran parte de la experiencia educativa que llevamos adelante docentes y estudiantes de la materia Lenguajes I durante los últimos años. El desarrollo de las clases y la elaboración sucesiva de diferentes programas de aprendizaje cimentan estas escrituras que traen los ecos dialógicos de una conversación que se inició en el momento fundacional de la carrera en “Comunicación Social” en 1974, dos años antes del inicio de la fatídica dictadura cívico-militar que asoló a nuestro país entre el 24 de marzo de 1976 y el 10 de diciembre de 1983 y que, entre otras consecuencias nefastas, produjo el cierre de la licenciatura durante un año. Fil: Echecopar, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales. Escuela de Comunicación Social; Argentina.

Mediterranean is one of the world’s most heavily exploited seas, where more than 90 % of the assessed fish stocks are overfished. In this basin small scale fisheries (SSFs) play a major socioeconomic role in terms of fleet size, number of jobs and amount and value of landings. Passive nets (chiefly gillnets (GNs) and trammel nets (TNs)) are the most common fishing gears employed by SSFs. Since they are considered more selective and less harmful to stocks and habitats than other gears such as trawls, their selectivity and impacts are less explored. This study was performed to provide an accurate description of the selectivity of Mediterranean GNs and TNs in relation to legal provisions and the biological features of their most common target species. It was found that the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) set for certain species is well under their length at first maturity (LFM) and does not contribute to sustainability. Moreover, a thorough overview of the technical features of Mediterranean passive nets highlighted that they catch mature individuals above the MCRS and are therefore size-selective. This characteristic goes a considerable way towards achieving several conservation priorities: to reduce fishing mortality, to minimize the capture of juveniles and discards, to spare sexually immature individuals, thus improving spawning stock biomass and increasing the yield per recruit while attenuating the impacts on benthic ecosystems.

Resumen Objetivos Describir el manejo anestesico durante cesarea en una paciente con miocardiopatia dilatada. Materiales y metodos Se describe una paciente de 35 anos cursando su 33 a semana de gestacion con el antecedente de miocardiopatia dilatada del periparto que requirio la finalizacion del embarazo por descompensacion de su enfermedad. Se realizo una anestesia combinada espinal/epidural. Resultados En el intraoperatorio, la paciente presento un evento hipotensivo a causa de la perdida hematica al momento del alumbramiento. Dicho evento fue manejado exitosamente, sin el desarrollo de complicaciones posteriores. Posteriormente ingreso a la unidad coronaria estable hemodinamicamente y fue dada de alta a las 72 h. Discusion Mientras sea posible la realizacion de un bloqueo neuroaxial, este deberia ser empleado. En caso de realizar anestesia general, se deben tomar ciertos recaudos para evitar posibles complicaciones. El abordaje multidisciplinario debe ser tenido en cuenta en estas pacientes. Conclusion La tecnica anestesica combinada espinal/epidural fue segura y eficaz para el caso presentado.

A simple method to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with different shapes and dimensions was optimized by using a one-step reduction method with NaBH4, TSC and PVP, with H2O2 acting as an oxidation agent, to etch the nanoparticles and produce different morphologies. A series of AgNPs were obtained with different colours, including yellow to green and passing through orange, red, violet and blue, that exhibited different localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) as analysed by UV–visible spectroscopy. The dimensions and morphologies of the nanostructures were characterized in detail by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The characterizations showed different trends in the morphologies, starting from spherical to not well-defined structures, triangular nanoplates, hexagonal nanoplates and ultimately once again showing quasi-spherical shapes. The triangular nanoplates were tested as plasmon sensors for mercury ions in aqueous solution, and they showed an LSPR-blueshift with a change in colour from blue to violet. When a calibration curve was measured in the concentration range from 0.14 to 0.5 mg l−1, the nanoparticles showed good linearity between the Hg2+ concentration in the solutions and the LSPR blueshift, with a correlation factor R2 of 0.9978 and an LOD of 0.013 mg l−1 (64.9 nM).

Internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) after motorcycle accidents is unusual but life threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated. We report the case of a motorcyclist involved in a frontal collision with a car, suffering injuries due to direct blunt trauma and indirect trauma by sudden deceleration force. Bilateral ICAD was diagnosed by computed tomography angiogram 5 days after the accident. Here in, starting from a medicolegal case, we emphasized some clinical criteria to make a prompt diagnosis to prevent permanent neurological deficit in this pathology whose best management is still under the debate. An unusual case of ICAD is described with regard to both forensic and promptly diagnostic therapeutic management.

Il Comparto peschereccio marchigiano dedito alla pesca della vongola (Chamelea gallina) si trova ad affrontare una profonda crisi che negli ultimi anni ha condotto a prolungati periodi di inattività forzata, con conseguenze negative per tutto il settore. In particolare, i responsabili dei quattro comparti marchigiani (San Benedetto, Civitanova Marche, Ancona e Pesaro) denunciano lo stato di depauperamento dello stock e l'incapacità della risorsa di recuperare da questa situazione di profonda crisi. In questo contesto a fine estate del 2018 i titolari di delle attività di pesca di vongole (Consorzio di Gestione di Ancona?) hanno denunciato una diffusa moria di ? nell'area ? e per capire le ragioni di questa moria hanno interpellato il CNR-IRBIM di Ancona per condurre un'indagine preliminare esplorativa e speditiva. Per cercare di capire, almeno in parte, quali possano essere le ragioni che hanno determinato tale moria, il CNR-IRBIM ha eseguito una indagine sui parametri chimico fisici della colonna d'acqua, in particolare di ossigeno, temperatura e salinità, nell'area interessata dalla moria. Infatti, la presenza della vongola (?) è fortemente legata, oltre che alla granulometria del sedimento superficiale, alle condizione ambientali della colonna d'acqua nei pressi del fondale e in particolare dal suo livello L'indagine esplorativa del 19/9/2018 fa seguito ad un'altra indagine speditiva, condotta dal CNR-ISMAR di Ancona il 14/7/2015 a bordo della motopesca Albatros, messo a disposizione dal CoGeVo di Ancona, e volta ad investigare il sedimento superficiale nell'area settentrionale del Compartimento marittimo di Ancona.