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The coastal landscape of the Gaeta Bay, southern Latium (Italy), is the result of a significant tectonic control expressed by a geometric segmentation of the relief and by offsets of the coastline. The structural features derived from this activity are overlain by slope and littoral morphogenetic processes. Tectonic and geomorphic processes performed in a different way along the coastal belt, producing the unequal morphological setting observed in the western and in the eastern sector of the study area. In the western sector, the Aurunci Mts. gradually reach the coast forming cliffs. On them, several emerged and submerged erosional forms such as notches and sea terraces are recognised. Embayments characterized by sandy pocket beaches wide from few hundred meters to over 2 km are in correspondence to some tectonic lines with a clear morphological expression and transversal to the coastline. In the eastern sector, the Aurunci Mts., higher and rich of karstic forms, joint to the coastline in few kilometres due to the accumulation forms developed along valleys deeply cut in the carbonate slopes. The morphological features of the investigated area permitted us to recognize the existence of differential vertical movements along a 30 km-wide coastal area clearly split in two sectors.

Huge quantities of pollutants are released into the atmosphere of many cities every day. These emissions, due to physicochemical conditions, can interact with each other, resulting in additional pollutants such as ozone. The resulting accumulation of pollutants can be dangerous for human health. To date, urban pollution is recognized as one of the main environmental risk factors. This research aims to correlate, through soft computing techniques, namely Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Programming, the data of the tumours recorded by the Local Health Authority of the city of Benevento, in Italy, with those of the pollutants detected in the air monitoring stations. Such stations can monitor many pollutants, i.e. NO2, CO, PM10, PM2.5, O3 and Benzene (C6H6). Assuming possible effects on human health in the medium term, in this work we treat the data relating to pollutants from the 2012–2014 period while, the tumour data, provided by local hospitals, refer to the time interval 2016–2018. The results show a high correlation between the cases of lung tumours and the exceedance of atmospheric particulate matter and ozone. The explicit genetic programming knowledge representation allows also to measure the relevance of each considered pollutant on human health, evidencing the major role of PM10, NO2 and O3.

The need to produce energy from clean energy sources has caused public administrations and private companies to look for suitable places. The windiness detected in the eastern area of the Matese karst massif (southern Italy) has favored the construction of wind farms to produce electricity from clean energy sources. During the installation of the first wind turbines, some alterations in the supply of drinking water, fed by the springs of this area, were attributed by the population to this installation. Therefore, in order to assess whether there has been an impact produced by the wind farms on the quality of groundwater, a detailed hydrogeological study was developed. Karst hydrogeological features of the area were mapped, focusing on endorheic areas, sinkholes and karst springs. Artificial tracer tests were then carried out to investigate groundwater flow circulation and connection between surface karst landforms and springs. Chemical and physical characteristics of the groundwater were monitored during the construction of the wind farms and, for the following months, by infield measurements and laboratory analysis of spring water samples. This study highlights that wind farms mainly develop along the boundary of endorheic areas, which are important recharge zones for groundwater resources, and are directly connected to the major karst springs through sinkholes and a dense network of karst conduits. The results of the monitoring did not reveal any anomalies in the quality of the water and, therefore, any alterations cannot be attributed to the wind farms. Our investigation appears useful for a better understanding of the possible actual and future effects of the wind farms on both groundwater circulation and spring water quality in this karst area.

In the Taburno-Camposauro Aspiring Geopark (southern Italy), a significant part of the geological history of this stretch of Apennines (a fold and thrust belt formed since the early Neogene) can be read. Inside this area, 44 geosites were identified, described and evaluated. The geosites identification was based on one or more characteristics (geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological, etc.) that were able capturing the observer's interest and telling the geological history of this area. The observations were supported by a scientific characterization based on literature data. Among the most considered parameters, there is the representativeness as geological topic, process, features in the study area. In this sense, it was considered, for example, that the shallow marine limestone outcrops of the middle Cretaceous, with evident polychrome residual fillings, were an element of extreme scientific value. This is confirmed by a vast scientific literature (peer-reviewed papers, geological maps, etc.), which guarantees its uniqueness within the limestone successions of the Apennines. For at least two centuries, these rocks were extracted, and nowadays the worked stones, called improperly "marbles", adorn the monumental buildings not only in Italy (Caserta, Naples, Rome), but also abroad (France, England and even Russia). These features add further educational and touristic value to the geosite. Despite the mining activity, the main topic is almost intact in the quarry, which is easily. Its security, however, should be improved. Another highly representative geosite, due to both its geological significance and scenic value, is the village of Sant'Agata de' Goti. The village is built at the top of a structural terrace shaped on the Campanian Ignimbrite, which is a 39 ky old pyroclastic deposit. After the infilling of the valleys by the Campanian Ignimbrite, the latter was deeply dissected by the hydrographic network, which shaped structural terraces. The Campanian Ignimbrite is considered the result of the largest volcanic explosion in Europe in the last 200,000 years, as highlighted by a large amount of published scientific data. Probably due to its favourable position, this structural terrace was chosen for residential settlements since the 4th century BC. International research about this site is not limited to the geological features, but also to the archaeological and geotechnical ones, and this increases its value for touristic purposes, too. Finally, despite the fact that the new water supply system has drastically changed, the Fizzo Springs still represent the major water source of the aspiring geopark and therefore maintain their intrinsic value. Known for their considerable discharge since Roman times, they were exploited in order to feed the western coastal areas with an impressive aqueducts considered UNESCO World Heritage. In recent decades, the capture of the springs was replaced by a system of wells, so the springs lost a little in their magnificence, even if today they were inserted in a beautiful garden that is easily accessible to everyone. Probably, in a quantitative assessment, these sites would reach the highest value. However, there are others that, due to their geological significance or their visual beauty, constitute an opportunity to become a geopark.

Fractal geometry methods offer a quantitative description of complex landscapes and can effectively elucidate the behavior of fluvial and coastal geomorphological systems. The bidimensional (2D) fractal geometry of a shoreline, obtainable with Koch’s curve method, may be expressed by a fractional number between 1.1 and 1.4. In this case, the former shoreline is less rugged than the latter, which tends to a Peano’s curve with a fractal dimension D = 2, that is a plan. These sizes, under initial analysis, may not supply direct information on the main processes responsible for modeling the coast. Actually, either erosion, sediment deposition, and tectonics could generate shapes with about the same fractal dimension, independently of their intensity, age, and time during which they acted, as a result of morphological convergence. From the results of research carried out along Mediterranean-type and Brazilian coastlands, it is possible to derive, from the fractal dimension, the primary and secondary processes behind modeling. Here distinguishing tectonic events from littoral dynamics, both responsible for coastal morphology and identifying which is predominant. Calculation and comparison of the 2D-fractal analysis over time along the selected littorals are useful for assessing sea storm impacts and tsunami flash remodeling, e.g., as a relationship between dimension and energy, and the post-event shoreline resilience time comparing the fractal dimensions before and after the main events related to the morphosedimentary features. The same principles can be applied to other geomorphological systems, such as dunes, river drainage networks, islands, and lagoons, representing an important tool for understanding and classifying these environments.

The city of Benevento is located in an intramontane Plio-Pleistocene basin of the Campanian Apennines (Southern Italy), at the confluence of the Calore and Sabato Rivers. Most of the city lies on different orders of terraces, while the more recent settlements are located on summits and flanks of hilly relieves. The terraces, as confirmed by both literature and field surveys, have an alluvial origin and a lower Pleistocene to upper Pleistocene age. The substratum of these terraces mainly consists of conglomerates with sandy intercalations. There are also limited outcrops of silty-clayey sequences with sandy-gravelly intercalations, interpreted as results of fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary episodes. The scarps between the different orders were probably smoothed artificially over time, also using the rubble produced by earthquakes, which are still intense in this area. On the slopes that border the recent alluvial plain, landslides are frequent, especially on north-facing slopes. The most recent alluvial terraces are not older than Holocene. The substratum of these terraces consists of gravels and sands with interbedded tephras and paleosols. Currently, the main fluvial landforms are the single‐thread channels with small‐sized bars and fluvial islands of the Calore and Sabato Rivers. The geomorphological analysis, based on GIS-based comparisons of historical maps and aerial photos from different dates and supported by field data, also shows several inactive fluvial landforms, such as abandoned channels, degraded fluvial scarps and summits of river terraces, together with an intense channel narrowing. Probably, the first stable settlements of Benevento, dated back to the Archaic and Classical age, were located on the floodplains of the Sabato and Calore rivers. This allowed the exploitation of water for agro-pastoral purposes. When there was the need to organize more structured settlements, also protected from both frequent floods and military attacks, the population moved upward to the middle-upper Pleistocene aged alluvial terraces. The first settlement was probably built in the 5th century B.C. and subsequently expanded during the Roman and, then, Longobard ages. The water supply in the most elevated areas was made by a series of artificial canals built along the southern slopes of the surveyed area, prepared with suitable terracing. On the northern side, in a recently restored monumental complex dated back to the VI-VII century, the effects of a series of catastrophic events (i.e., floods and earthquakes) that affected this area can be recognized in the materials preserved there. For centuries, a clear subdivision in the land use was maintained. Namely, rural areas were located on the plain and surrounding slopes, while residential areas were located on the most elevated terraces. However, during the twentieth century, a transformation gradually occurred due to a significant demographic increase. The urban environment quickly occupied large agricultural areas, despite the fact that these areas were subject to frequent flooding, which caused extensive damage and even fatalities. In order to protect them, therefore, impressive bank works were carried out on the rivers, but in other cases the lack of care of farmers still makes difficult any recovery and mitigation intervention.

The Matese Regional Park included the northern part of Campania and the southern part of Molise regions. The total area is about 33,000 ha. The institution of the Park was due to its extreme naturalistic and environmental richness, representative of the whole Southern Apennines chain. Unfortunately, the Park institution was not fully understood by local authorities and population as a development opportunity (touristic, agricultural, etc.).Most of the area consists of an imposing calcareous massif, whose features are still completely natural. In some outcrops of Mesozoic limestone, exceptional fossils were found, among which the dinosaur cub Scipioniyx samntiyicus, popularly known as “Ciro”, is mentioned for importance, as it is recognized and studied all over the world for its excellent state of conservation. In addition to this unique specimen, a myriad of remains of fishes, reptiles, amphibians and rudists were found. To the threat of vandalism perpetrated in early years, the authorities responded by guaranteeing the conservation of the sites and fossils, but also by creating a place to welcome scholars and researchers. Thus, the Paleolab was born, i.e. a multimedial museum of geology and palaeontology with an increasing number of visitors.The widespread diffusion of karst phenomena, both epigean and hypogean, contributed to fuel an underground water circulation, which is important for both quantity and quality. This resource was exploited over time, not only at the basal springs, but also locally, for domestic, agricultural and livestock uses and even for energy production. Therefore, the pressures on this resource are important and need a care planning. Moreover, contaminations by anthropogenic activities are possible, even if limited to some marginal areas, and are not coherent with the rules of a protected area.Earthquakes could upset both the beauty of the Matese landscapes and the local activities. In fact, this area is one of the most seismogenetic ones in Southern Apennines. In historical epoch, several seismic events caused casualties and huge damages to the local settlements and even changed the physical features of the territory. However, the answers to these events became an opportunity, as they allowed both reconstructing less vulnerable buildings and the restitution of the typicality of some ancient settlements. A difficulty is nowadays represented by the alert systems, which are weak due to the articulated morphology and the accentuated dispersion of the buildings (residence and working sites).In this contribution, several indicators were considered to describe the environmental situation of the Matese Park in the framework of a model able to identify the cause-effect relationships and the response that were put in place to obtain a change in the desired direction.

The aim of this paper is highlighting the strong vine–wine vocation of the Campania inland (southern Italy) through the description of the physical features of two areas, in which two fine wines are produced: the Guardiolo, from the western sector of the Sannio area, and the Greco di Tufo, from northern Irpinia. Recently, initiatives were developed to promote these territories. They allowed attracting tourists and making these areas well-known. In order to indirectly contribute to achieve this goal, some noticeable features of the local landscape have to be considered. In fact, a careful analysis shows that they are often very important for the quality of vines and wines. Therefore, the knowledge of these features, i.e., geology, geomorphology, and pedology, especially when they are representative of the whole landscape and are attributable to the terroir, can also improve the enhancement of the territory by increasing sensitivity to the geological heritage. In this sense, the geological and geomorphological features occurring in these two wine production areas of the Campania region, which emphasize the local history and the original traditions of vine cultivation and wine production, were considered and described in this paper.

This study shows the terrestrial and marine landforms present along the Cilento coast in the southern part of the Campania region (Italy). This coast is characterized by the alternation of bays, small beaches, and rocky headlands. In the adjacent submerged areas, there is a slightly inclined platform that has a maximum width of 30 km to the north, while it narrows in the south to approximately 6 km. A wide variety of landforms are preserved in this area, despite the high erodibility of the rocks emerging from the sea and the effects of human activities (construction of structures and infrastructures, fires, etc.). Of these landforms, we focused on those that enabled us to determine Quaternary sea-level variations, and, more specifically, we focused on the correlation between coastal and sea-floor topography in order to trace the geomorphological evolution of this coastal area. For this purpose, the Licosa Cape and the promontory of Ripe Rosse located in northern Cilento were used as reference areas. Methods were used that enabled us to obtain a detailed digital cartography of each area and consequently to apply physical-based coastal evolution models. We believe that this approach would provide a better management of coastal risk mitigation which is likely to become increasingly important in the perspective of climate change.

In this work Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Programming are applied in order to assess the desertification status, a kind of land degradation, of an area, from meteorological and land use data. The approach has been tested in the Sannio (central Italy) region. Both the used soft computing methods show low error rates, and the Genetic Programming offers the advantage of an explicit representation of the factors that favour or delay the desertification. This methodology allows preventive actions to face the upcoming desertification.

Subarachnoid block is a widely used technique for cesarean section. Opioids adding to the local anesthetics can improve its quality. In this prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled trial, we compared the effects of coadministration of intrathecal sufentanil and morphine with intrathecal sufentanil and a single administration of subcutaneous morphine. Sixty-four pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were assigned to two groups according to the way of administration of morphine: intrathecal sufentanil (5 μg) plus intrathecal morphine (150 μg) (ITM group), and intrathecal sufentanil (5 μg) plus single administration of 10 mg subcutaneous morphine (SCM group). In both groups, the local anesthetic used was hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5 percent (10 mg). Both groups received 1 g acetaminophen every 6 hours. In the postoperative period, pain was recorded on a 0-100 visual analog scale (VAS) and intravenous tramadol (100 mg) was administered if VAS score was >40 mm. Collateral effects, such us nausea, itching, respiratory depression, and sedation were assessed. VAS scores at rest and on coughing were significantly higher in the SCM group than in the ITM group between 3 and 24 hours. The mean titrated dose of tramadol consumed was also significantly greater in the SCM group than in the ITM group (p < 0.05). The time to first administration of tramadol was lower in the SCM group versus the ITM group (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea was significantly lower in the SCM group than in the ITM group (p < 0.05). There was no significant group difference in the incidence of pruritus (p > 0.05). In conclusion, coadministration of sufentanil and morphine into the subarachnoid space was effective and provided longer pain relief than intrathecal sufentanil plus a single injection of subcutaneous morphine, despite a higher incidence of side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Since the last decades of nineteenth century, Italian rivers experienced remarkable morphological changes. Most of the previously investigated river channels were affected by intense human disturbances, which were frequently indicated as the main control factor. In contrast, the Tammaro River (southern Italy) underwent less complex human interventions than other Italian rivers, at least since the recent closure of the Campolattaro Dam in the median zone of the catchment. Thus, it represents a good example to analyze the effects of changes in climate and land use on short-term channel adjustments. In this paper, the channel adjustments experienced by the Tammaro River over a period of ~140 yr (1870–2011) were investigated. The study integrated results from GIS-based geomorphological and land-use analysis, field surveys, and analysis of hydrological data (rainfall, flow discharges, extreme floods). From the last decades of nineteenth century to the mid 1930s, the river experienced widening and a slight increase in transitional channel morphologies (Phase-1). From the 1930s to the late 1990s, the river underwent a marked narrowing and limited to moderate incision (Phase-2). The geomorphological effects of the 1949 extreme flood were superimposed on the Phase-2 response. Finally, from 1990s onwards (Phase-3), the river experienced substantial stability with respect to the changes during the previous phases and different behaviors at the reach scale. During Phase-3, changes in channel morphology were observed a few years after the closure of the Campolattaro Dam. The morpho-evolutionary phases observed for the Tammaro River were very similar, even if slightly diachronous, to those reported in the literature for more anthropized rivers of southern Italy.

Miocene extensional sedimentary basins are being increasingly recognized in Central Mediterranean. However the paleogeographic reconstruction of the Paleo-Tyrrhenian during this time span results a difficult task because the subsequent Pliocene-Quaternary backarc opening moved away these older sedimentary basins. Our study outlines principal deformation events recorded by sediments that were deposited within minor basins of the Tyrrhenian Sea region and provides constraints on the duration of these events. The interpretation of seismic profiles, wells, and outcrops data together with a review of the middle-upper Miocene successions permitted us to recognize Miocene third order depositional sequences, reconstruct the fault pattern, and furnish a detailed evolution of the sedimentary basins that preceded the Pliocene-Quaternary Tyrrhenian high stretching. Based on the stratigraphic and tectonic constraints together with the age migration of the depocenters, we reconstructed a detailed paleogeographic evolution of central Mediterranean. Sedimentary basins architecture and fault pattern indicate a system of approximately N-S oriented normal faults and approximately E-W transform faults that were active since the Late Oligocene. Two period of extensional/transtensional tectonics (late Oligocene-Lower Burdigalian and Upper Langhian-Tortonian) were interrupted by a compressional event (late Burdigalian-Lower Langhian). Tacking in account the position of the Miocene volcanic arc (Sardinia), we propose that the coeval sedimentary basins developed in the central Mediterranean as forearc extensional/transtensional basins during the progressive collision with the African plate and before the Tyrrhenian backarc opening. Unlike published late Oligocene-Tortonian reconstructions of the western-central Mediterranean realm that report a linear migration of backarc extension, our results support a geodynamic model characterized by a progressive deformation of the forearc extension in the overriding plate.

In this paper, we present the results of a detailed geomorphological and sedimentological study of a coastal sector of southern Italy, the Pineta della foce del Garigliano SCI (i.e. Site of Community Importance), which is largely affected by shoreline retreat and the degradation of dune habitat. The analysis of shoreline evolution demonstrates that severe erosion processes have occurred over the last 50 years. They caused the complete dismantling of the foredune, whereas the anomalous and advanced position of the secondary dune promoted a progressive loss of vegetation habitat of high environmental value such as juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. macrocarpa). Morpho-sedimentary data and hydrodynamic models suggest that the main climate events promoted a net longshore transport toward the South. Our analyses confirm that erosion processes are linked to natural factors but several negative human practices have contributed to the acceleration of shoreline retreat and degradation of the dune habitat. In addition to its scientific value, the map and data here presented represent an important tool for beach management purposes.

This report describes the flooding features caused by an unusual weather event. This event was characterized by severe rainfall that occurred between 14th and 15th October 2015 in Benevento and the surrounding areas. Extensive damage affected populated areas due to the overflow of the Calore River and its tributaries.

On 15 October 2015, the floodplain of the Calore River underwent a destructive flood, with a stream stage increase up to 10 m. In this paper, we describe the GIS-based, object-oriented geomorphological map of the overflooded sectors of the Calore River floodplain near Benevento. The map graphically represents the field-checked results of a detailed geomorphological study carried out by means of GIS analysis of historical and topographic maps and orthophotos. Particular attention was devoted to the analysis of the channel adjustments experienced by the Calore River since the end of the 19th century, which shaped most of the landforms in the floodplain. The results showed that the investigated floodplain is characterized by abandoned channels, anthropogenic landforms, and five orders of recent river terraces separated by gently-sloping inactive fluvial scarps, less than 2 m high. On the oldest and/or more distal sectors of the floodplain, landforms are badly preserved, probably due to the more prolonged reshaping by natural erosional processes and anthropogenic activities, and to the high erodibility of the loose sediments in which they are shaped. The proposed map could be a key tool for a correct flood hazard assessment in the Benevento area, permitting thematic maps that avoid or reduce the negative effects of events similar to the 15 October 2015 flood.

This paper illustrates a project, developed in a Geographic Information System (GIS), about the promotion and dissemination of geo-sites and geo-morpho-sites identified in the Regional Natural Park of Taburno-Camposauro in the province of Benevento in Campania. The aim of the project is the realization of a possible training/educational/cognitive route about the goods and the environmental resources of the Park so that different users will use and managed it by Hi-Tech devices and similar products. The geo-tourist resources could complete a local tourist offer that is still not fully exploited. This has already happened in other protected areas in Italy and foreign countries. The update of tourist offer would also contribute to the economic development of local communities and, at the same time, it would be an upgrade to the advanced technological knowledge and the dissemination of attractive resources of the area of the Park.Various GIS databases designed to achieve thematic maps that could potentially be exploited as online geo-tourist maps or as tools for spatial planning. Forty-six geosites and geomorphosites, some partially known and others completely new, were counted in the Park and then information/cognitive file-cards were created in Access and imported into GIS (QGIS 1.8 v. open source) Thanks to the development and overlap of acquired metadata, new and more complete interactive digital maps were obtained. They can be used as informational support and easily managed in Hi-Tech service systems platforms.

In this paper, the preliminary results of a research aimed to reconstruct the morphotectonic framework of the Tammaro River basin are presented. The use of dedicated geographic information systems (GIS) enabled an efficient managing and processing of heterogeneous datasets, produced using GIS-aided classical techniques of geological and geomorphological analysis of the relief. On these data, advanced statistical processing procedures were carried out. The Tammaro R. basin corresponds to a sector of the Southern Apennines experiencing a general SW–NE extension, with several evidence of recent seismicity, and looks very similar to other intermontane basins hosted along the axis of the Apennines. The basin is dominated by NE–SW striking faults that seem to be the key structures for the morphotectonic evolution of the area. NW–SE, N–S and E–W azimuthal sets of faults are also well represented and seem to have played a minor role. The existence of these faults is confirmed by clear geomorphological evidence, such as fluvial elbows, subsequent reaches of streams, straight slopes shaped as triangular or trapezoidal facets, fault scarps and displacements of five orders of palaeosurfaces.

A striking coastline, about 100 km long, characterizes the southernmost part of the Campania region. It is comprised within one of the largest National Parks of Italy, named “Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni Park”. The coast preserves a great number of geological and geomorphological features, frequently well integrated with anthropic structures, which makes it a unique landscape. The morphology of the coastal area of the Park is characterized by hills sloping down to the sea, where alternate bays with small beaches and rocky headlands, hosting a large number of Norman-Aragonese watchtowers. Limestone cliffs display impressive karst landforms, such as caves, which have undoubtedly favoured human presence since the Middle Paleolithic. In this suggestive landscape several landforms and deposits permit to reconstruct the Quaternary-aged sea-level changes.

In this work two soft computing methods, Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Programming, are proposed in order to forecast the mean temperature that will occur in future seasons. The area in which the soft computing techniques were applied is that of the surroundings of the town of Benevento, in the south of Italy, having geographic coordinates (lat. 41{\deg}07'50"N; long.14{\deg}47'13"E). This area is not affected by maritime influences as well as by winds coming from the west. The methods are fed by data recorded in the meteorological stations of Benevento and Castelvenere, located in the hilly area, which characterizes the territory surrounding this city, at 144 m a.s.l. Both the applied methods show low error rates, while the Genetic Programming offers an explicit rule representation (a formula) explaining the prevision. Keywords Seasonal Temperature Forecasting; Soft Computing; Artificial Neural Networks; Genetic Programming; Southern Italy.

The geomorphological changes experienced by the middle and lower Calore River (Southern Italy) between 1957 and 1998 were investigated. Data derived from field surveys and interpretation of topographic maps and aerial photos were introduced into a geographic information system (GIS) and processed. The results showed that the Calore River underwent a mean narrowing of 66 %, with a peak of 86 %. The channel length increased by approximately 75 m and the sinuosity from 1.311 to 1.314. The extension of fluvial bars reduced by more than 83 %, while their number increased from 151 to 381. Field evidence of riverbed lowering, such as river terraces formed in the considered time span and exhumation of foundations of bridges and flood-walls, were also constantly detected. Due to these channel adjustments, the Calore River morphology changed from transitional to single-thread. These results were coherent with those reported in the pre-existing literature about channel adjustments experienced by many rivers during the twentieth century. They all were explainable with a reduction of the bedload transport; this latter, in turn, is completely in accordance with the environmental changes that affected the Calore River system in the considered period (i.e., damming and/or channelization of the main tributaries, reduction of liquid discharge due to water withdrawals and sediment mining from the riverbed).

In the Northern Campanian coastal zone, over 150 km long, three geomorphic units are recognised: (1) sandy beaches that are well developed in the northern area, where a prominent river mouth (Volturno River) is also present; (2) steep and rocky shores, often with gravelly beaches or debris cones at their base, are mainly diffuse in the southern area (Sorrentine Peninsula); and, lastly, (3) “techno coast”, shorelines stabilized with revetments and seawalls as well as former natural environments no longer clearly operational because of urbanization, as is visible in Naples and in the Vesuvian coast. Six primary hazards are considered in this investigation: shoreline erosion, riverine flooding, storms, landslides, seismicity and volcanism, and man-made structures. These hazards do not have a uniform distribution along this coast in terms of their frequency and intensity; moreover both their interaction and the intensive action of humans, often uncontrolled, makes it difficult to assess the overall coastal hazard. In this paper a semiquantitative method with which to quantify, rank and map the distribution of hazard is applied along this particular stretch of coast. In such a stretch, previously characterized in terms of types and processes and compartmentalized into geomorphic units, the effect of individual hazards, based on their magnitude and recurrence, is evaluated. Dominant and subordinate hazards for each geomorphic unit are identified, assigning a rank that is also a weighting. Comparison of each weighting through an interaction matrix permits the calculation of a resultant, which is the overall hazard assessment and which can be expressed cartographically. The results obtained for a coastal zone with one of the highest pressures from urbanization in the world, help us to recognise that this approach could become a useful tool to aid decision-making regarding coastal land-use and planning. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Remifentanil may attenuate maternal hemodynamic response during cesarean section under general anesthesia, but could cause transient but significant neonatal depression. We investigated the effect of low-dose remifentanil on maternal neuroendocrine response and fetal wellbeing.Forty-two ASA I-II parturients undergoing cesarean section at term under general anesthesia were randomized to receive either fentanyl after delivery (n=21, group C) or remifentanil bolus 0.5 microg/kg before induction followed by a continuous infusion at 0.15 microg x kg(-1)min(-1) until peritoneal incision, then restarted after delivery (n=21, group R). Maternal heart rate and blood pressure, and epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and growth hormone levels were measured at baseline, uterine incision, and the end of surgery. Remifentanil was measured in maternal and umbilical arterial and venous blood. One- and 5-minute Apgar scores and umbilical arterial and venous pH were recorded.ACTH was significantly higher in group C at uterine incision (P0.01). No significant differences were observed in hemodynamics, catecholamines or growth hormone. Apgar scores at 1 (P0.05) and 5 min (P0.01) were significantly higher in group C. Mean umbilical pH values were within normal range but significantly higher in group C. Three neonates in group R required intubation but recovered at 5 min without naloxone. Mean+/-SD maternal remifentanil concentration was 1.67+/-1.04 ng/mL.Remifentanil administration before peritoneal incision partially reduced the hormonal stress response. Maternal benefits must be weighed against transitory but significant neonatal respiratory depression. Neonatal resuscitation facilities are mandatory when remifentanil is used.

Geomorphological, stratigraphic and palaeoecological surveys have been carried out along the coastland of the Lagoon of Papas (Kalogria) since 1994, with the aim of depicting its morphodynamic and palaeoenvironmental evolution during the Holocene, until the present. The coast was previously affected by tectonic activity which exerted a morphologic control, interacting with the Quaternary sea-level changes. These processes resulted in subsidence during the MIS 7, followed by the MIS 5 transgression with marine and lagoon sediment deposition. The subsequent regression caused the deposition of alluvial covers and fans, later dislocated by the differential uplift which formed a terrace and a coastal plain at its base, tilted towards the northwest. This plain was dissected and uplifted by recent tectonics which has developed a new terrace, separated from the former by a post-Tyrrhenian fault scarp. Particularly, during the Holocene the coastal plain was characterized by the deposition of alluvial sediments eroded from the southwestern hills, increase of fluvial meanders, westward deviation of watercourses, development of ponds, swamps and finally of a lagoon. Multidisciplinary studies, including examination of historical cartography, bathymetric map, microfossil analysis and geomorphological surveys, have shed light on the gradual genesis of the lagoon. The lagoon developed during the Holocene in a pre-existing wide bay, starting from a sequence of a few littoral spits elongated from southeast to northwest. Palaeoecological analysis confirmed the alternation of brackish to marine environments, through the recognition of different groups of microfossil assemblages. Morphological and sedimentological study of the lagoon bottom showed some hummocks and facies related to buried relict spit and overwash structures. This morphodynamic evolution is analogous to that described for some Tyrrhenian and Adriatic lagoons from Italy, as well as for other Mediterranean lagoons.

Soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) are widespread in the upper part of the S. Mauro Formation (Cilento Group, Middle-Late Miocene). The succession is represented mainly by thick and very thick, massive, coarse-grained sandstones, deposited by rapid sedimentation of high-density turbidity currents. The most common SSDS are short pillars, dishes, sedimentary sills and convolutions. They occur mostly in the upper parts of sandstone beds. Vertical tubes of 4-5 cm in diameter and up to 50 cm long constitute the most striking structures. They begin in the middle part of sandstone beds, which are basically massive or contain faint dish structures. These tubes can bifurcate upwards and/ or pass into bedding-parallel veins or dikes. The vertical tubes sometimes form sand volcanoes on the then sedimentary surface. The SSDS are interpreted as the result of earthquake-triggered liquefaction and/or fluidisation of the turbidites that were affected by the seismic shocks. This implies that the deformed layers should be considered as seismites.

Neuraxial techniques of anaesthesia and analgesia are the current choice in obstetrics for efficacy and general low risk of major complications. Concern exists about neuraxial anaesthesia in patients with occult neural tube defects, regarding both labour analgesia and anaesthesia for Caesarean section. Recently, remifentanil infusion has been proposed as an analgesic technique alternative to lumbar epidural, especially when epidural analgesia appears to be contraindicated. Here, we discuss the case of a pregnant woman attending at our institution with occult, symptomatic spinal dysraphism who requested labour analgesia. She was selected for remifentanil intravenous infusion for labour pain and then underwent urgent operative delivery with spinal anaesthesia with no complications.

Landslide hazard mapping is often performed through the identification and analysis of hillslope instability factors. In heuristic approaches, these factors are rated by the attribution of scores based on the assumed role played by each of them in controlling the development of a sliding process. The objective of this research is to forecast landslide susceptibility through the application of Artificial Neural Networks. In particular, given the availability of past events data, we mainly focused on the Calabria region (Italy). Vectors of eight hillslope factors (features) were considered for each considered event in this area (lithology, permeability, slope angle, vegetation cover in terms of type and density, land use, yearly rainfall and yearly temperature range). We collected 106 vectors and each one was labeled with its landslide susceptibility, which is assumed to be the output variable. Subsequently a set of these labeled vectors (examples) was used to train an artificial neural network belonging to the category of Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) to evaluate landslide susceptibility. Then the neural network predictions were verified on the vectors not used in the training (validation set), i.e. in previously unseen locations. The comparison between the expected output and the artificial neural network output showed satisfactory results, reporting a prediction discrepancy of less than 4.3%. This is an encouraging preliminary approach towards a systematic introduction of artificial neural network in landslide hazard assessment and mapping in the considered area.

SUMMARY 1 Prior studies have suggested urinary oxygen tension (Puo2) as a putative index of renal blood flow (RBF) and tissue oxygenation. 2 In the present study, we collected intraoperative data from eight anaemic, bladder-catheterized patients who received erythrocyte transfusions during various surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Urinary and arterial blood gas analysis and co-oximetry were performed before and after transfusion, during an interval in which RBF was assumed to be constant. 3 Pre- and post-transfusion haematocrit levels were 23 ± 4.8 and 27 ± 6.4%, respectively, and arterial oxygen content (Cao2) was 10.5 ± 2.5 and 12.4 ± 3.1 mL/dL, respectively (P = 0.012). Pre- and post-transfusion Puo2 was 90 ± 14 and 108 ± 20 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.036). 4 These results, although limited, suggest that under conditions of stable haemodynamics, systemic oxygenation and renal function, intraoperative blood transfusion may increase Puo2 in anaemic anaesthetized patients. If confirmed by subsequent clinical and laboratory studies, Puo2 measurement could become a simple, non-invasive way to monitor renal medullary oxygenation and tissue oxygen availability and help determine whether red blood cells should be transfused.

It is unclear whether shorter wave latencies of middle-latency-auditory-evoked-potentials may be associated to cognitive function other than nondeclarative memory. We investigated the presence of declarative, nondeclarative and dreaming memory in propofol-anaesthetized patients and any relationship to intraoperatively registered middle-latency-auditory-evoked-potentials. An audiotape containing one of two stories was presented to patients during anaesthesia. Patients were interviewed on dream recall immediately upon emergence from anaesthesia. Declarative and nondeclarative memories for intraoperative listening were assessed 24 h after awakening without pointing out positive findings. Six patients who reported dream recall showed an intraoperative Pa latency less than that of patients who were unable to remember any dreams (P

In critical care, dopamine is administered by infusion at low doses (or=3 microg/kg/min) or at high doses (or=5 microg/kg/min) for assessment of hemodynamics. The present study was conducted to explore the effects of dopamine infusion on the vast microvascular network of skeletal muscle in the early phases of sepsis.An observational study was performed which included twelve critically ill patients. Patients' response to dopamine infusion (3 microg/kg/min) was studied within 24 hours from admission to the ICU. The forearm blood flow (FBF) and vascular resistance (FVR) were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).Dopamine did not ameliorate forearm regional oxygenation. The infusion of dopamine caused an increase in MAP, while FBF decreased with the resistance increase (p0.05).NIRS was suitable to measure bedside the vascular resistance and to test the effects of low doses of dopamine on forearm blood flow. A dopamine infusion of 3.0 microg/kg/min caused a reduction in forearm blood flow and an increase in vascular resistance in our patients.

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) donors on high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels in insulin-secreting RINm5F cells was investigated using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 2-400 microM) induced a dose-dependent reduction in Ba2+ currents with maximal inhibition of 58%. The IC50 for SNP was 45 microM. A different NO donor, (+/-)S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 500 microM), also produced a 50% decrease in current amplitude. When 200 microM SNP was administered together with the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidozoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO, 300 microM), the Ba2+ current inhibition was lowered to 7%. Administration of 500 microM 8-bromoguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt (8-Br-cGMP) mimicked the effects of SNP, causing a comparable decrease (56%) in peak-current amplitude. When soluble guanylyl cyclase was blocked by 10 microM 1H-[1,2, 4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), the inhibitory effect of 200 microM SNP was reduced from 39% to 15%. The SNP-induced current decrease was 36% of controls after the blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels and 30% in the presence of 2.5 microM omega-conotoxin-MVIIC. These data indicate that NO inhibits both L-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels in RINm5F cells, probably by an increase in the intracellular levels of cGMP. NO may then significantly influence the Ca2+-dependent release of hormones from secretory cells as well as that of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals.

Recent benthic Foraminiferida (111 species, 45 genera) and Ostracoda (150 species, 43 genera) assemblages were studied. Samples were collected in the southern part of the Porto Cesareo Lagoon, on the south-western coast of Apulia, Ionian Sea. Thirty-two bottom samples were collected by hand at a water depth of 0.12 to 4.78 m. Assemblages are characteristic of marine infralittoral warm waters, in agreement with the previous records of benthic organisms with tropical affinity. Dominant taxa are either phytophilous or typical of sandy bottom. Abundance and diversity are controlled by environmental factors like the type of substrate, hydrodynamic conditions and distance from the open sea. Anthropic pollution negatively influences microfaunal assemblages only for a few dozens of meters away from the urbanized area.