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Teaching experience in geomatics heavily relies on hands-on activities, but field surveys for educational purposes are usually conducted in controlled environments without proper connection to real-world scenarios. Combining the widespread availability of low-cost equipment with the potential of Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) in innovative teaching programmes can fill the gap in preparing young professionals in geomatics and surveying for real-world problems and global challenges, including climate change. This paper presents the active learning experience of the Belvedere Glacier Summer School organized annually by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Politecnico di Milano in the Italian Alps. During the week-long programme of theoretical and practical sessions, students from different backgrounds, ranging from Engineering to Architecture and Geoinformatics, transform knowledge into skills by designing and carrying out surveys focused on monitoring the evolution of the glacier volume, using GNSS and UAV photogrammetry, and familiarising with 2D and 3D data processing. In a peer-led environment, participants also contribute to the production of open data (orthophotos, DSM and point measurements) published in Zenodo, fostering teamwork and collaboration not only internally but also with the wider research community.

Abstract Chronic stress is a major risk factor for neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) has emerged as a promising target to counteract stress-related disorders given the ability of newborn neurons to facilitate endogenous plasticity. Recent data sheds light on the interaction between cannabinoids and neurotrophic factors underlying the regulation of AHN, with important effects on cognitive plasticity and emotional flexibility. Since physical exercise (PE) is known to enhance neurotrophic factor levels, we hypothesised that PE could engage with cannabinoids to influence AHN and that this would result in beneficial effects under stressful conditions. We therefore investigated the actions of modulating cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2R), which are devoid of psychotropic effects, in combination with PE in chronically stressed animals. We found that CB2R inhibition, but not CB2R activation, in combination with PE significantly ameliorated stress-evoked emotional changes and cognitive deficits. Importantly, this combined strategy critically shaped stress-induced changes in AHN dynamics, leading to a significant increase in the rates of cell proliferation and differentiation of newborn neurons, overall reduction in neuroinflammation, and increased hippocampal levels of BDNF. Together, these results show that CB2Rs are crucial regulators of the beneficial effects of PE in countering the effects of chronic stress. Our work emphasises the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind the actions of cannabinoids and PE and provides a framework for future therapeutic strategies to treat stress-related disorders that capitalise on lifestyle interventions complemented with endocannabinoid pharmacomodulation.

In recent years, the digitalization and dissemination of historical heritage have become crucial nodes in the preservation and valorization of Cultural Heritage (CH). Technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and terrestrial photogrammetry, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and handheld Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) laser scanning allow the generation of digital models of architecture that can be explored through interactive web platforms, such as those based on WebGL graphic library. These are considered one of the most promising innovations for digitizing and sharing CH site due to their application in a wide range of contexts, promoting new forms of interaction with architecture at different scales. Additionally, the use of geomatic tools allows for a more complete 3D reconstruction and evaluation of the results by comparing different techniques. The article focuses on digitization as a tool for documenting and sharing CH assets, with the aim of developing a replicable prototype platform for an immersive Virtual Tour (VT) of an art collection and the architectural complex in which it is resided. In addition, this paper presents the results of a case study conducted at the Ricci Oddi Gallery of Modern Art in Piacenza, Italy. The source code of the implemented application is available on GitHub to permit replicability for other case studies.

Abstract According to The World Alzheimer Report 2023 by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) estimates that 33 to 38.5 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). A crucial hallmark associated with this disease is associated with the deficiency of the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine, due to an affected acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Marine organisms synthesize several classes of compounds, some of which exhibit significant AChE inhibition, such as petrosamine, a coloured pyridoacridine alkaloid. The aim of this work was to characterize the activity of petrosamine isolated for the first time from a Brazilian marine sponge, using two neurotoxicity models with aluminium chloride, as exposure to aluminium is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The in vitro model was based in a neuroblastoma cell line and the in vivo model exploited the potential of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos in mimicking hallmarks of AD. To our knowledge, this is the first report on petrosamine’s activity over these parameters, either in vitro or in vivo, in order to characterize its full potential for tackling neurotoxicity. Graphical Abstract

Abstract It was compared smartphone-based measurements of static balance control and mobility of elderly population with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The present cross-sectional study investigated 73 participants grouped in a control group (n = 36) and a DM2 group (n = 37). Smartphone’s built in inertial sensors were used to record inertial changes of the participants during static balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go test – TUG) tasks. The inertial variations as a function of the time were analyzed and compared between groups. Both groups were matched in age, body mass index, male-female proportion, but DM2 group had significant larger fasting glucose than control group. Additionally, DM2 group had worst static balance control with open and closed eyes than the controls (p < 0.05) as well as they also had longer duration to execute the different events of the mobility test than the controls (p < 0.05). DM2 patients had decline of motor functions compared to controls and the use of bult-in sensors of smartphones was feasible to identify these functional impairments. The easy access of smartphones could be improving the screening of functional impairments in DM2 patients.

Lithium–sulfur batteries are considered as promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage devices for grid applications due to their high theoretical energy density. However, the inevitable shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides and/or dendrite growth of Li metal anodes hinder their commercial viability. Herein, the microporous Zr fumarate metal–organic framework (MOF)‐801(Zr) is considered to produce thin (≈15.6 μm, ≈1 mg cm2) mixed‐matrix membranes (MMM) as a novel interlayer for Li–S batteries. It is found that the MOF‐801(Zr)/C/PVDF‐HFP composite interlayer facilitates Li+ ions diffusion, and anchors polysulfides while promoting their redox conversion effectively. It is demonstrated that MOF‐801 effectively trapped polysulfides at the cathode side, and confirmed for the first time the nature of the interaction between the adsorbed polysulfides and the host framework, through a combination of solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations. The incorporation of MOF‐801(Zr)/C/PVDF‐HFP MMM interlayer results in a notable enhancement in the initial capacity of Li–S batteries up to 1110 mA h g−1. Moreover, even after 50 cycles, a specific capacity of 880 mA h g−1 is delivered.

ABSTRACTAmong the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids is now a rising concern in wildlife within Europe, after the detection of the first case in Norway in 2016, in a wild reindeer and until June 2022 a total of 34 cases were described in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The definite diagnosis is post-mortem, performed in target areas of the brain and lymph nodes. Samples are first screened using a rapid test and, if positive, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. The study of the genetics of the prion protein gene, PRNP, has been proved to be a valuable tool for determining the relative susceptibility to TSEs. In the present study, the exon 3 of PRNP gene of 143 samples from red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) of Portugal was analysed. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in red deer – codon A136A, codon T98A, codon Q226E – and no sequence variation was detected in fallow deer. The low genetic diversity found in our samples is compatible with previous studies in Europe. The comparison with results from North America suggests that the free-ranging deer from our study may present susceptibility to CWD, although lack of experimental data and the necessity of continuous survey are necessary to evaluate these populations.

The recent collapse of bridges in Italy has prompted numerous studies on monitoring and maintenance. Many structures in Italy have been in service for over 50 years, necessitating new approaches to ensure their safety. To address this issue, Italy's Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori Pubblici (Superior Council of Public Works) has developed the Guidelines for Risk Classification and Management, proposing a multi-level approach to bridge management within a complex geomorphological environment. The guidelines outline a multi-level process that includes surveying the structures, conducting detailed inspections, and assigning risk classes based on hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Current inspection processes are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, alternative monitoring technologies are crucial. Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras, laser technologies, and GPS systems offer flexible and cost-effective solutions for visual inspection. These technologies enable the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data, such as size, material properties, and overall condition. In this context, efficient data management and exploration systems are necessary to handle the vast amount of geo-referenced information. Multi-epoch databases play a crucial role in documenting the conditions of bridges and supporting a maintenance and structural health monitoring workflow. These databases can be utilized within a Bridge Management System to aid road managers in decision-making processes. Additionally, 3D exploration platforms provide visual analysis and highlight areas of interest within the structure. This work presents a multi-epoch geo-database that adheres to the Italian guidelines, offering optimized data management and queryability for 2D and 3D information. The entire process is designed using open-source and reproducible solutions.

Glacier monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding the impacts of climate change on these dynamic natural systems. One or more time-lapse cameras are often employed to acquire short-term observations of glacier flow dynamics. However, the lack of multi-camera photogrammetric software packages for multi-temporal 3D scene reconstruction, especially in case of wide camera baselines, hinders the application of Structure-from-Motion techniques to these scenarios. To address this, we present ICEpy4D, a novel Python toolkit designed for 4D monitoring of alpine glaciers using low-cost time-lapse cameras and state-of-the-art computer vision techniques. ICEpy4D leverages deep-learning-based matching algorithms to solve 3D reconstruction with wide camera baselines, making it well-suited for challenging scenarios encountered in mountainous regions. The toolkit offers comprehensive functionalities for multi-epoch monitoring, enabling short-term glacier 3D reconstruction and extraction of relevant information from time-series point clouds, such as volume variations and glacier retreat. In a pilot study on the Belvedere Glacier northern snout (Italian Alps), ICEpy4D estimated glacier volume loss of 63 × 103 m3 of ice and ∼17.5m of retreat. Results showcased the toolkit’s potential for analyzing a glacier ice cliff, with prospects for application to other glaciers with varying characteristics. ICEpy4D is actively being developed as an open-source project at github.com/labmgf-polimi/icepy4d/, promoting ease of extension and customization.

Knowledge about streamflow regimes and values is essential for different activities and situations in which justified decisions must be made. However, streamflow behavior is commonly assumed to be non-linear, being controlled by various mechanisms that act on different temporal and spatial scales, making its estimation challenging. An example is the construction and operation of infrastructures such as dams and reservoirs in rivers. The challenges faced by modelers to correctly describe the impact of dams on hydrological systems are considerable. In this study, an already implemented solution of the MOHID-Land (where MOHID stands for HYDrodinamic MOdel, or MOdelo HIDrodinâmico in Portuguese) model for a natural flow regime in the Ulla River basin was considered as a baseline. The watershed referred to includes three reservoirs. Outflow values were estimated considering a basic operation rule for two of them (run-of-the-river dams) and considering a data-driven model of a convolutional long short-term memory (CLSTM) type for the other (high-capacity dam). The outflow values obtained with the CLSTM model were imposed in the hydrological model, while the hydrological model fed the CLSTM model with the level and the inflow of the reservoir. This coupled system was evaluated daily using two hydrometric stations located downstream of the reservoirs, resulting in an improved performance compared with the baseline application. The analysis of the modeled values with and without reservoirs further demonstrated that considering dams' operations in the hydrological model resulted in an increase in the streamflow during the dry season and a decrease during the wet season but with no differences in the average streamflow. The coupled system is thus a promising solution for improving streamflow estimates in modified catchments.

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es uno de los más prevalentes en el mundo y contribuye significativamente a las muertes relacionadas con el cáncer. La mayoría de los casos surgen de pólipos adenomatosos. Actualmente, los biomarcadores desempeñan un papel importante en la progresión tumoral. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar mastocitos perivasculares y analizar la expresión de laminina-332, MMP-9 y VEGF en casos humanos de adenoma y CCR. Materiales y métodos: Los pacientes fueron seleccionados en el servicio de coloproctología y las muestras se obtuvieron mediante biopsias. Las laminillas de adenoma y CCR se examinaron mediante inmunohistoquímica para detectar moléculas y se procesaron con azul alcián al 1% (pH 0.5) para la tinción de mastocitos. Resultados: Se observó una mayor densidad de mastocitos perivasculares en los adenomas. La expresión de laminina-332 reveló discontinuidad de la membrana basal asociada con la invasión tumoral en el CCR. Se detectó inmunotinción de MMP-9 en el adenoma en epitelios glandulares y de revestimiento en áreas cercanas a la membrana basal, mientras que en el CCR la enzima se encontró en el citoplasma de grupos invasivos. La expresión de VEGF se asoció con atipia celular en el adenoma y en áreas de desorganización de la interfaz entre el epitelio y el tejido conectivo en el CCR. Se ha detectado VEGF en células endoteliales de microvasos. Conclusiones: Demostramos los diferentes patrones de mastocitos perivasculares y expresión molecular en neoplasias colorrectales. Estos análisis favorecen el reconocimiento de la predisposición o estadio temprano de la enfermedad y tienen el potencial de definir el perfil molecular de las lesiones. Abstract: Introduction and objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, and significantly contributes to cancer-related deaths. Most cases arise from adenomatous polyps. Biomarkers currently play an important role in tumor progression. Our aim was to identify perivascular mast cells and analyze the expression of laminin-332, MMP-9, and VEGF in cases of adenoma and CRC in humans. Materials and methods: Patients were selected at the Coloproctology Service and samples were obtained through biopsies. Adenoma and CRC slides were examined, utilizing immunohistochemistry to detect molecules, and were processed, using 1% Alcian Blue (pH .5) for mast cell staining. Results: Higher density of perivascular mast cells was observed in adenomas. Laminin-332 expression revealed basement membrane discontinuity associated with tumor invasion in CRC. MMP-9 immunostaining in adenoma was detected in glandular epithelium and lining epithelium, in areas close to the basement membrane, whereas in CRC, the enzyme was found in the cytoplasm of invasive clusters. VEGF expression was associated with cell atypia in adenoma and in areas of disorganization of the epithelium-connective tissue interface in CRC. VEGF has also been detected in endothelial cells from microvessels. Conclusions: We demonstrated the different patterns of perivascular mast cells and molecular expression in colorectal neoplasms. Those analyses favor the recognition of the predisposition to the disease, or its early stage, and have the potential to define the molecular profile of the lesions.

Introduction and aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, and significantly contributes to cancer-related deaths. Most cases arise from adenomatous polyps. Biomarkers currently play an important role in tumor progression. Our aim was to identify perivascular mast cells and analyze the expression of laminin-332, MMP-9, and VEGF in cases of adenoma and CRC in humans. Materials and methods: Patients were selected at the Coloproctology Service and samples were obtained through biopsies. Adenoma and CRC slides were examined, utilizing immunohistochemistry to detect molecules, and were processed, using 1% Alcian Blue (pH 0.5) for mast cell staining. Results: Higher density of perivascular mast cells was observed in adenomas. Laminin-332 expression revealed basement membrane discontinuity associated with tumor invasion in CRC. MMP-9 immunostaining in adenoma was detected in glandular epithelium and lining epithelium, in areas close to the basement membrane, whereas in CRC, the enzyme was found in the cytoplasm of invasive clusters. VEGF expression was associated with cell atypia in adenoma and in areas of disorganization of the epithelium-connective tissue interface in CRC. VEGF has also been detected in endothelial cells from microvessels. Conclusions: We demonstrated the different patterns of perivascular mast cells and molecular expression in colorectal neoplasms. Those analyses favor the recognition of the predisposition to the disease, or its early stage, and have the potential to define the molecular profile of the lesions. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es uno de los más prevalentes en el mundo y contribuye significativamente a las muertes relacionadas con el cáncer. La mayoría de los casos surgen de pólipos adenomatosos. Actualmente, los biomarcadores juegan un papel importante en la progresión tumoral. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar mastocitos perivasculares y analizar la expresión de laminina-332, MMP-9 y VEGF en casos humanos de adenoma y CCR. Materiales y métodos: Los pacientes fueron seleccionados en el Servicio de Coloproctología y las muestras se obtuvieron mediante biopsias. Las laminillas de adenoma y CCR se examinaron mediante inmunohistoquímica para detectar moléculas y se procesaron con azul Alcian al 1% (pH 0,5) para la tinción de mastocitos. Resultados: Se observó una mayor densidad de mastocitos perivasculares en los adenomas. La expresión de laminina-332 reveló discontinuidad de la membrana basal asociada con la invasión tumoral en el CCR. Se detectó inmunotinción de MMP-9 en adenoma en epitelios glandulares y de revestimiento en áreas cercanas a la membrana basal, mientras que en CCR la enzima se encontró en el citoplasma de grupos invasivos. La expresión de VEGF se asoció con atipia celular en adenoma y en áreas de desorganización de la interfaz entre el epitelio y el tejido conectivo en CCR. Se ha detectado VEGF en células endoteliales de microvasos. Conclusiones: Demostramos los diferentes patrones de mastocitos perivasculares y expresión molecular en neoplasias colorrectales. Estos análisis favorecen el reconocimiento de la predisposición o estadio temprano de la enfermedad y tienen el potencial de definir el perfil molecular de las lesiones.

The adoption of open-source mobile mapping applications in public administration has risen over the last decade due to their interdisciplinary vocation and flexibility in adapting to existing Geographic Information System (GIS) software architectures. This facilitates complex procedures of data collection and management required for transportation and environmental models, emergency management, and maintenance operations. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in Italy requires road-owning agencies to build and maintain a mapping inventory of their road networks, including georeferenced information about streets and ancillary elements, such as traffic signs. Innovative and integrated street-level approaches for the rapid mapping of road entities using open-source mobile mapping tools represent a valuable low-cost solution for the periodical update of road entities inventory. The adoption of these tools allows public administrators to easily consult the road inventory even outside the office, conducting in situ validation and quality evaluation. This work presents a case study focused on the update and management of traffic sign entities of the Road Cadastre of the Province of Piacenza (Italy) using Qfield and Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect as alternatives to the previous traditional survey method that consisted in the use of field papers. A comparison between the adoption of the two mobile apps is conducted, identifying benefits and limitations in terms of both data accuracy and usability. Validation scripts, project and form structure were developed with the perspective of making the entire workflow as reproducible and transparent as possible, sharing details in a dedicated GitHub repository.

Georeferenced reconstructions can help understand the dynamic evolution of the urban context surrounding a historical site, supporting decision-making processes in the field of urban planning. The development of web applications that allow the interaction between 2D and 3D products, as well as their exploration, can facilitate virtual inspections and foster collaboration in digitization of interventions and site evolutions over time. The article discusses how virtual scene reconstructions and visits can provide alternatives to traditional in-situ tourism promotion, through digital storytelling solutions for the exploration of sites. The article also describes how 3D storytelling technologies are currently being used for dissemination cultural heritage sites. The case study of the Castello Farnese, an old XVI century heritage site in Piacenza (Italy), test the adoption of two distinct free and open-source JavaScript WebGL, Potree and Cesium, for the rendering of photogrammetric and laser scanning georeferenced scaled products and for the integration of narrative features such as annotations, camera animations, texts, and other multimedia contents. Potentials and limitations of both tools are discussed in detail, highlighting how they can be implemented for enhancing user experience in virtual tour and exploration of 3D products. In order to guarantee replicability for other case studies, source code of the implemented application is shared on GitHub along with its documentation for contributions.

Introduction Informed consent forms (ICFs) for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) can be onerous and lengthy. The process has the potential to overwhelm patients with information, leading them to miss elements of the study that are critical for an informed decision. Specifically, overly long and complicated ICFs have the potential to increase barriers to trial participation for patients with mild cognitive impairment, those who do not speak English as a first language or among those with lower medical literacy. In turn, this can influence trial recruitment, completion and external validity.Methods and analysis SIMPLY-SNAP is a pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, two-arm parallel-group superiority RCT, nested within a larger trial, the Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) trial. We will randomise potentially eligible participants of the SNAP trial 1:1 to a full-length ICF or a SIMPlified LaYered (SIMPLY) consent process where basic information is summarised with embedded hyperlinks to supplemental information and videos. The primary outcome is recruitment into the SNAP trial. Secondary outcomes include patient understanding of the clinical trial, patient and research staff satisfaction with the consent process, and time taken for consent. As an exploratory outcome, we will also compare measures of diversity (eg, gender, ethnicity), according to the consent process randomised to. The planned sample size will be 346 participants.Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the ethics review board (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Research Ethics Board) at sites in Ontario. We will disseminate study results via the SNAP trial group and other collaborating clinical trial networks.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT06168474; www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Image-based monitoring has emerged as a prevalent technique for sensing mountain environments. Monoscopic time-lapse cameras, which rely on digital image correlation to quantify glacier motion, have limitations due to the need for a Digital Elevation Model for deriving 3D flow velocity fields. Multi-camera systems overcome this limitation, as they allow for a 3D reconstruction of the scene. This paper presents a replicable low-cost stereoscopic system designed for 4D glacier monitoring. The system consists of independent and autonomous units, built from off-the-shelves components, such as a DSLR camera, an Arduino microcontroller, and a Raspberry Pi Zero, reducing costs compared to pre-built time-lapse cameras. The units are energetically self-sufficient and resistant to harsh alpine conditions. The system was successfully tested for more than a year to monitor the northwest terminus of the Belvedere Glacier (Italian Alps). Daily stereo-pairs acquired were processed with Structure-from-Motion to derive 3D point clouds of the glacier terminus and estimate glacier retreat and ice volume loss. By combining the information about ice volume loss with ablation estimates and ice flow velocity information, e.g., derived from monoscopic-camera time series, a multi-camera system enables a comprehensive understanding of sub-seasonal glacier dynamics.

La violencia contra la pareja origina diversas consecuencias en las víctimas, muchas de las cuales muchas veces son fatales. La presente investigación desarrolló la Escala de Valoración del Riesgo de Violencia Grave contra la Mujer (VRVG-M), la misma que pretende identificar el riesgo de ocurrencia de violencia grave contra la pareja. Se llevó a cabo en 7 ciudades del Perú y participaron 598 mujeres víctimas de violencia de pareja. Los resultados mostraron una adecuada validez de constructo (CFI = .973, TLI = .964, RMSEA = .052 y RMRS = .0395, confiabilidad compuesta > .70 y varianza media extraída >.50 para todos los factores) y precisión diagnóstica (AUC = .87), por lo que la escala VRVG-M es un instrumento adecuado que ayuda a valorar el riesgo de violencia grave contra la mujer dentro del ámbito de pareja. Se discute la incorporación y el aporte predictivo de algunos factores de riesgo en este tipo de instrumentos.

Dietary variation within and across species drives the eco-evolutionary responsiveness of genes necessary to metabolize nutrients and other components. Recent evidence from humans and other mammals suggests that sugar-rich diets of floral nectar and ripe fruit have favoured mutations in, and functional preservation of, the ADH7 gene, which encodes the ADH class 4 enzyme responsible for metabolizing ethanol. Here we interrogate a large, comparative dataset of ADH7 gene sequence variation, including that underlying the amino acid residue located at the key site (294) that regulates the affinity of ADH7 for ethanol. Our analyses span 171 mammal species, including 59 newly sequenced. We report extensive variation, especially among frugivorous and nectarivorous bats, with potential for functional impact. We also report widespread variation in the retention and probable pseudogenization of ADH7. However, we find little statistical evidence of an overarching impact of dietary behaviour on putative ADH7 function or presence of derived alleles at site 294 across mammals, which suggests that the evolution of ADH7 is shaped by complex factors. Our study reports extensive new diversity in a gene of longstanding ecological interest, offers new sources of variation to be explored in functional assays in future study, and advances our understanding of the processes of molecular evolution.

Abstract Batteries are seen as a vital piece for actual carbon‐neutral world needs. However, as they basically operate through extremely exothermic electrochemical events, special attention must be paid to their thermal and volumetric constraints, where continuous and accurate monitoring is of great importance. Considering it, customized optical sensors, based on fiber Bragg gratings recorded in birefringent PANDA fibers (FBG‐PANDA), are developed and instrumented in a coiled configuration into a cylindrical Li‐ion battery (LiB) to simultaneously track temperature and radial strain during galvanostatic cycles, in three different battery locations, for the first time. The maximum temperature and radial strain variations are achieved in the middle and at the end of the discharge steps. This thermal behavior is correlated with the internal heat generation and transfer of thermal energy processes, with a tendency to accumulate in the LiB central zone.Good feasibility and reproducibility are observed in the optical sensor's performance and demonstrated that by operating as a multiparameter decouple system, they can decrease the complexity and intrusiveness in batteries, by using only one optical fiber line. The reported results are in accordance with the literature, indicating that such sensors could be consistently used for future applications regarding battery safety parameters sensing.

Abstract Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Introduction The BALANCE study is a randomised clinical trial (3626 participants) designed to assess the non-inferiority of 7 days (short-course) antibiotic therapy compared with 14 days of therapy for bacteraemia using the pragmatic endpoint of 90-day survival. Based on pilot study data, approximately 30% of enrolees will have a urinary tract infection (UTI) as the source of bacteraemia.Methods and analysis We aim to assess the non-inferiority of short-course antibiotic therapy for patients with bacteraemia UTIs.Participating sites in four countries will be invited to join this substudy. All participants of this substudy will be enrolled in the main BALANCE study. The intervention will be assigned and treatment administered as specified in the main protocol.We will include participants in this substudy if the probable source of their infection is a UTI, as judged by the site principal investigator, and they have a urine microscopy and culture indicative of a UTI. Participants will be excluded if they have an ileal loop, vesicoureteric reflux or suspected or confirmed prostatitis.The primary outcome is the absence of a positive culture on a test-of-cure urine sample collected 6–12 days after cessation of antimicrobials, with a non-inferiority margin of 15%. Secondary outcomes include the clinical resolution of infection symptoms at test-of-cure.Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved in conjunction with the main BALANCE study through the relevant ethics review process at each participating site. We will disseminate the results through the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, the Association for Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Canada Clinical Research Network (AMMI Canada CRN) and other collaborators.Universal trial number U1111-1256-0874.Main BALANCE trial registration NCT03005145.Trial registration number Australian Clinical Trial Register: ACTRN12620001108909.

The health assessment of strategic infrastructures and bridges represents a critical variable for planning appropriate maintenance operations. The high costs and complexity of traditional periodical monitoring with elevating platforms have driven the search for more efficient and flexible methods. Indeed, recent years have seen the growing diffusion and adoption of non-invasive approaches consisting in the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for applications that range from visual inspection with optical sensors to LiDAR technologies for rapid mapping of the territory. This study defines two different methodologies for bridge inspection. A first approach involving the integration of traditional topographic and GNSS techniques with TLS and photogrammetry with cameras mounted on UAV was compared with a UAV-LiDAR method based on the use of a DJI Matrice 300 equipped with a LiDAR DJI Zenmuse L1 sensor for a manual flight and an automatic one. While the first workflow resulted in a centimetric accurate but time-consuming model, the UAV-LiDAR resulting point cloud’s georeferencing accuracy resulted to be less accurate in the case of the manual flight under the bridge for GNSS signal obstruction. However, a photogrammetric model reconstruction phase made with Ground Control Points and photos taken by the L1-embedded camera improved the overall accuracy of the workflow, that could be employed for flexible low-cost mapping of bridges when medium level accuracy (5–10 cm) is accepted. In conclusion, a solution for integrating interactively final 3D products in a Bridge Management System environment is presented.

Monitoring cracks opening on concrete bridges is a key aspect for structural health assessment. Digital image processing, combined with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and photogrammetry, allows for non-contact 3D reconstruction of cracks, reducing costs and potential unsafe factors involved in manual inspections. This paper presents a flexible procedure based on UAV photogrammetry for accurate evaluation of cracks geometry, that can be implemented for periodic structural monitoring. Stereo-pair of images, acquired with UAVs close to the cracked surface, are used to build a scaled photogrammetric model through Structure-from-Motion. Cracks are detected on images by image binarization and digital image processing techniques. Thereafter, one single image is used to reconstruct crack 3D geometry, by back-projecting crack image coordinates on a 3D model of the object. This can be built from the current stereo-pair of images, or based on an existing photogrammetric model, in the case of a periodic monitoring set-up. Crack width is accurately estimated in 3D world. The procedure is tested and evaluated in a case study, obtaining millimetric accurate results, which is in line with the average ground sample distance of the images employed. Results highlight the potentials of UAVs and photogrammetry not only for bridge inspections and damages localization, but also for accurately evaluating cracks geometry and helping structural engineers to assess structure health conditions.

Regulator of TElomere Length Helicase 1 (RTEL1) is a helicase required for telomere maintenance and genome replication and repair. RTEL1 has been previously shown to participate in the nuclear export of small nuclear RNAs. Here we show that RTEL1 deficiency leads to a nuclear envelope destabilization exclusively in cells entering S-phase and in direct connection to origin firing. We discovered that inhibiting protein import also leads to similar, albeit non-cell cycle-related, nuclear envelope disruptions. Remarkably, overexpression of wild-type RTEL1, or of its C-terminal part lacking the helicase domain, protects cells against nuclear envelope anomalies mediated by protein import inhibition. We identified distinct domains in the C-terminus of RTEL1 essential for the interaction with KPNB1 (importin β) and NUP153, respectively, and we demonstrated that, on its own, the latter domain can promote the dynamic nuclear internalization of peptides that freely diffuse through the nuclear pore. Consistent with putative functions exerted in protein import, RTEL1 can be visualized on both sides of the nuclear pore using high-resolution microscopy. In all, our work points to an unanticipated, helicase-independent, role of RTEL1 in connecting both nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and nuclear envelope integrity to genome replication initiation in S-phase.

Human airway epithelium infected with SARS-CoV-2 shows viral entry occurring at the apical plasma membrane, excluding cilia. Here, the visualization of viral fusion at the cell surface and budding profiles within infected cells through high-resolution electron microscopy and tomography provide new insight into the infection process.

The adviser-advisee relationship, which is characterized as a form of knowledge propagation, has the possible effect of promoting an increase in the scientific production of both. Specifically, in graduate programs, where this relationship is more active, either in the preparation of the thesis or in the derivation of works related to this type of study, where this is the central point of this research. In this study, orientation data extracted from curricula registered in the Lattes Platform are used, with the aim of obtaining, in addition to an overview of the orientation process in Brazil, an analysis of the bibliographic production. As a result, it was possible to observe that some individuals, especially those who work in postgraduate programs, tend to obtain a greater amount of direct guidance and, consequently, family trees with a greater number of generations. It was also verified that the areas of activity of the advisers are determinant for more dense family trees. Therefore, it is concluded that some areas such as Biological Sciences and Human Sciences hold the academic family trees with the highest number of generations and individuals, to the detriment of others such as Exact Sciences and Engineering. Innovative, the study makes genealogy into fifteen levels, a fact that previous studies only reach seven levels of guidance families. It also has a generation of computing technology and metrics to calculate everything and brings together analysis on a single platform.

Introduction and Objectives: This study aimed to determine if there is an overlap of alcoholic hepatitis and ACLF criteria and if the presence of ACLF predicts a poor prognosis. Material and methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of patients with chronic liver disease due to alcohol admitted under the Gastroenterology department (July to December 2021) to whom criteria for alcoholic hepatitis and ACLF were applied. ACLF was defined using the EASL-CLIF criteria. The American College of Gastroenterology criteria were used for the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis. Results: Table 1. Characteristics of patients with ACLF and alcohol hepatitis Discussion: Alcoholic hepatitis constitutes an acute deterioration of alcoholic liver disease than can transform into ACLF, accompanied by high short-term mortality. Diagnosis and treatment are currently insufficient due to a poor understanding of pathogenesis and the multiple etiologies involved. Conclusions: There is an overlap in diagnostic criteria for ACLF and alcoholic hepatitis. Half of the patients who presented both entities died, so the presence of ACLF represents a poor prognosis for alcoholic hepatitis. Funding: The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing Declaration of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Tilapia is one of the most widely cultivated cichlid species in the world. GIFT (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia) is an important strain for the international market. The continuous or frequent exposure to concentrations of non-ionized ammonium (NH3) above certain values induce morphological changes in the gills, affects the growth of the fish, and could also be lethal due to the toxicity of the compound. Acute toxicity of Ammonia in GIFT Tilapia strains was studied in three experiments (average weights of fish: 19.11, 6.54 and 0.47 g) conducted in recirculating aquaculture systems with 20 L aquariums. The effects of Ammonia concentrations: 0.50, 0.89, 1.58, 2.81, 5.00 mg NH3/L and stocking densities: 5, 10, 20 fish/aquarium were tested through three Acute Toxicity Tests of 96 h. The greatest susceptibility to the concentrations of NH3 evaluated was recorded in the smallest size and highest stocking density. The high mortalities observed were attributed to the toxic effects of NH3 in the configuration of the gills, as confirmed by the histopathological analysis of the tissue. The Branchial changes were hyperplasia, dilation of blood vessels, Lamellar fusion, aneurysm, and hemorrhage producing hypoxia to the fish. The results obtained suggest that GIFT is a strain with high tolerance to the toxic effects of Ammonia and surpass the values previously reported in the literature. The maximum concentration of NH3 recommended for the safe culture of tilapia fingerlings is 0.48 mg NH3/L.

Androgens have been reported to elongate telomeres in retrospective and prospective trials with patients with telomeropathies, mainly with bone marrow failure. In our single-arm prospective clinical trial (clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT02055456), 17 patients with short telomeres and/or germline pathogenic variants in telomere biology genes associated with at least one cytopenia and/or radiologic diagnosis of interstitial lung disease were treated with 5 mg/kg of intramuscular nandrolone decanoate every 15 days for 2 years. Ten of 13 evaluable patients (77%) showed telomere elongation at 12 months by flow-fluorescence in situ hybridization (average increase, 0.87 kb; 95% confidence interval: 0.20-1.55 kb; P=0.01). At 24 months, all ten evaluable patients showed telomere elongation (average increase, 0.49 kb; 95% confidence interval: 0.24-1.23 kb; P=0.18). Hematologic response was achieved in eight of 16 patients (50%) with marrow failure at 12 months, and in ten of 16 patients (63%) at 24 months. Seven patients had interstitial lung disease at baseline, and two and three had pulmonary response at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Two patients died due to pulmonary failure during treatment. In the remaining evaluable patients, the pulmonary function remained stable or improved, but showed consistent decline after cessation of treatment. Somatic mutations in myeloid neoplasm-related genes were present in a minority of patients and were mostly stable during drug treatment. The most common adverse events were elevations in liver function test levels in 88%, acne in 59%, and virilization in 59%. No adverse events grade ≥4 was observed. Our findings indicate that nandrolone decanoate elongates telomeres in patients with telomeropathies, which correlated with clinical improvement in some cases and tolerable adverse events.

Abstract Preserving culture heritage cellulose acetate-based historical films is a challenge due to the long-term instability of these complex materials and a lack of prediction models that can guide conservation strategies for each particular film. In this work, a cellulose acetate degradation model is proposed as the basis for the selection of appropriate strategies for storage and conservation for each specimen, considering its specific information. Due to the formulation complexity and diversity of cellulose acetate-based films produced over the decades, we hereby propose a hybrid modeling approach to describe the films degradation process. The problem is addressed by a hybrid model that uses as a backbone a first-principles based model to describe the degradation kinetics of the pure cellulose diacetate polymer. The mechanistic model was successfully adapted to fit experimental data from accelerated aging of plasticized films. The hybrid model considers then the specificity of each historical film via the development of two chemometric models. These models resource on gas release data, namely acetic acid, and descriptors of the films (manufacturing date, AD-strip value and film type) to assess the current polymer degradation state and estimate the increase in the degradation rate. These estimations are then conjugated with storage conditions (e.g., temperature and relative humidity, presence of adsorbent in the film’s box) and used to feed the mechanistic model to provide the required time degradation simulations. The developed chemometric models provided predictions with accuracy more than 87%. We have found that the storage archive as well as the manufacturing company are not determining factors for conservation but rather the manufacturing date, off gas data as well as the film type. In summary, this hybrid modeling was able to develop a practical tool for conservators to assess films conservation state and to design storage and conservation policies that are best suited for each cultural heritage film.

The possibility of equipping UAVs with lightweight GNSS receivers in order to estimate the camera position within a photogrammetric block allows for a reduction of the number of Ground Control Points (GCP), saving time during the field work and decreasing operational costs. Additionally, this makes it possible to build photogrammetric models even in morphologically complex areas or in emergency situations. This work is proposing a non-intrusive and low-cost procedure to retrieve the coordinates of the camera projection centre with decimetric accuracy. The method was designed and tested with the quadcopter DJI Matrice 210 V2 drone equipped with a DJI ZENMUSE X5S camera and an Emlid reach M, a low-cost, single-frequency (L1) GNSS receiver. GNSS observations are post-processed in PPK in order to obtain the UAV trajectory. Synchronization between the camera and the GNSS receiver is achieved by looking at the camera triggering timestamps in flight telemetry data, without requiring an electronic connection between camera and the GNSS that may be troublesome with commercial UAVs. Two surveys were carried out, respectively to calibrate and validate the procedure. The validation test evidenced the possibility of obtaining the coordinates of the camera projection centres with decimetric accuracy. The centre of projections can then be employed for GNSS-assisted aerial triangulation as input of the bundle block adjustment. Provided that at least one GCP is used, it is possible to reach centimetric accuracy on the ground.

A fundamental step of UAV photogrammetric processes is to collect Ground Control Points (GCPs) by means of geodetic-quality GNSS receivers or total stations, thus obtaining an absolutely oriented model with a centimetric accuracy. This procedure is usually time-consuming, expensive and potentially dangerous for operators who sometimes need to reach inaccessible areas. UAVs equipped with low-cost GNSS/IMU sensors can provide information about position and attitude of the images. This telemetry information is not enough for a photogrammetric restitution with a centimetric accuracy, but it can be usefully exploited when a lower accuracy is required. The algorithm proposed in this paper aims at improving the quality of this information, in order to introduce it into a direct-photogrammetric process, without collecting GCPs. In particular, the estimation of an optimal trajectory is obtained by combining the camera positions derived from UAV telemetry and from the relative orientation of the acquired images, by means of a least squares adjustment. Then, the resulting trajectory is used as a direct observation of the camera positions into a commercial software, thus replacing the information of GCPs. The algorithm has been tested on different datasets, comparing the classical photogrammetric solution (with GCPs) with the proposed one. These case-studies showed that using the improved trajectory as input to the commercial software (without GCPs) the reconstruction of the three-dimensional model can be improved with respect to the solution computed by using the UAV raw telemetry only.

Glycerin, a low-valued waste from biodiesel production, and dopamine were used as precursors for adsorbent materials. The study is centered on the preparation and application of microporous activated carbon as adsorbent materials in the separation of ethane/ethylene and of gases that are natural gas or landfill gas components (ethane/methane and carbon dioxide/methane). The activated carbons were produced by the following sequence reactions: facile carbonization of a glycerin/dopamine mixture and chemical activation. Dopamine allowed the introduction of nitrogenated groups that improved the selectivity of the separations. The activating agent was KOH, but its mass ratio was kept lower than one to improve the sustainability of the final materials. The solids were characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and point of zero charges (pHPZC). The order for adsorption of the different adsorbates (in mmolg−1) on the most well performing material—Gdop0.75—is methane (2.5) < carbon dioxide (5.0) < ethylene (8.6) < ethane (8.9).

This case study addresses the experiences of female undergraduate students in the geology and geophysics programs at Universidad de Chile. These majors are part of the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics (FCFM) and have a relatively large proportion of female representation compared to the other engineering and science majors at FCFM that are dominated by male students. We interviewed 12 female students in geoscience majors to understand (a) the reasons for choosing geoscience as a major and (b) their experiences both at FCFM and in geoscience in an institution with a strong masculine environment that aims to increase women's undergraduate enrollment. We found that the decision to pursue a geoscience career was made during high school, and they maintained this decision during the first years of college, which is heavily focused on mathematics and physics, with no geoscience-related courses. During this early period in college, known as the common core program, students perceived a hostile environment due to high academic demands and gender-based discrimination. Their experiences had a positive shift once they started the geoscience courses in their fifth or sixth semester. The relatively large proportion of female students in the geoscience majors at FCFM creates a positive environment in which the participants developed a sense of belonging in the geoscience community. Students also felt that the feminist movement during 2018 in Chile positively influenced their perspectives on their path at FCFM. These findings give insights for developing strategies to increase early interest, participation, and satisfaction of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines at various educational levels.

All over the world, road infrastructures are getting closer to their life cycle and need to be constantly inspected: a consistent number of bridges are structurally deficient, and the risk of collapse can no longer be excluded. In contrast with the past, the interest in structure durability has recently grown rapidly. In order to make bridges durable, it is necessary to carry out ordinary maintenance, preceded by inspection activities, which can be traditionally divided in two categories: destructive and non-destructive (NDT). All the NDT inspections (visual, IR thermography, GPR) can be conducted by using UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), a technology that makes bridges inspections quicker, cheaper, objective and repeatable. This study presents the visual inspection and survey of two bridges by using a UAS DJI Mavic 2 Pro, equipped with a 20Mpixel Hasselblad camera that records 60fps 4K video and a 10bit radiometric resolution. Starting from the acquired data, a 3D model of each structure was built by using Structure from Motion (SfM) principles and software. To validate the two models, each of them characterized by a centimetric accuracy, the UAS camera generated cloud of points and was co-registered with the point cloud of a terrestrial laser-scanner using Ground Control Points (GCPs). To make this, CloudCompare comparison software was used; the plugin M3C2 automatically calculates the distance between the points of two compared clouds. Finally, some general rules concerning the UAS main characteristics for inspection of bridges and software for data processing are proposed.