Aesthetic restoration in maxillo-mandibular malformations: the role of genioplasty

Aim: The aim of this study was to determinate how orthognatic surgery aids to cure many skull and face abnormalities and to help re-establishing the correct occlusive relation thanks to the repositioning of the maxillo-mandibular skeleton basis. Methods: The study included 183 male patients and 338 female patients, with an average age of 23 years. The sample series was divided according to specific pathologies. All patients underwent surgical procedures and the therapeutic strategy was determined based on the anomalies presented. Results: 113 patients had a II class dental skeletal occlusion, 180 patients had a III class dental-skeletal occlusion and 222 patients had skull-facial abnormalities. 5 patients underwent only a genioplasty, 82 patients underwent a genioplasty associated with BSSO, 175 patients underwent a genioplasty associated with Le Fort I osteotomy and the remaining 253 patients underwent a genioplasty associated with BSSO and Le Fort I osteotomy. Conclusion: The experience shows that genioplasty has been successfully introduced in orthognathic surgical therapeutic procedures, for dental-skeleton abnormalities and mandibular asymmetries treatment. In recent years, the evolution of computer systems has allowed an accurate assessment and programming, by means of the three-dimensional display, which are of great help in the course of diagnosis and evaluation of the displacements to be carried out, in order to obtain optimal aesthetic results

Management and treatment of sinonasal inverted papilloma

Aims: The aim of this paper is to describe the surgical experience of 35 patients with Inverted Papilloma (IP) of paranasal sinuses and its recurrence rate after a year of follow-up. Materials: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients presenting with IP of paranasal sinuses. Thirty-five patients comprised the focus of this study. For all patients was performed a pre-surgery TC, and for more 5 patients it was necessary to perform a Magnetic Resonance (MR) with gadolinium. Results: Among 35 patients selected, 18 patients underwent to open surgery, 4 patients had a combined approach with endoscopy and open surgery, while 13 patients were managed only with an endoscopic approach, with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Our results highlighted that the global percentage of success 12 months after the treatment was 93% and it not vary according to the tipology of the approach used if a radical excision of the lesion is achieved. More in depth, among 35 cases, only 2 patients were found to have recurrences and were treated with coronal and endoscopic approach. Conclusion: It is fundamental to underline that surgery must be carried on in a radical manner to treat these tend to recur. A complete removal of the lesion and bone peripheral border filing are essential to perform a correct and definitive treatment. Also, endoscopic approach can be taken into account when tumors are localized median to a sagittal plan crossing the orbit median wall and when they did not massively compromised paranasal sinus walls

A comparative framework for broad-scale plot-based vegetation classification

Aims: Classification of vegetation is an essential tool to describe, understand, predict and manage biodiversity. Given the multiplicity of approaches to classify vegetation, it is important to develop international consensus around a set of general guidelines and purpose-specific standard protocols. Before these goals can be achieved, however, it is necessary to identify and understand the different choices that are made during the process of classifying vegetation. This paper presents a framework to facilitate comparisons between broad-scale plot-based classification approaches. Results: Our framework is based on the distinction of four structural elements (plot record, vegetation type, consistent classification section and classification system) and two procedural elements (classification protocol and classification approach). For each element we describe essential properties that can be used for comparisons. We also review alternative choices regarding critical decisions of classification approaches; with a special focus on the procedures used to define vegetation types from plot records. We illustrate our comparative framework by applying it to different broad-scale classification approaches. Conclusions: Our framework will be useful for understanding and comparing plot-based vegetation classification approaches, as well as for integrating classification systems and their sections. We present a comparison framework for vegetation classification that distinguishes four structural elements (plot record, vegetation type, consistent classification section and classification system) and two procedural elements (classification protocol and classification approach). The framework will be useful for understanding and comparing plot-based vegetation classification approaches, as well as for integrating classification systems and their sections. © 2015 International Association for Vegetation Science

Finite mixture model-based classification of a complex vegetation system

To propose a Finite Mixture Model (FMM) as an additional approach for classifying large datasets of georeferenced vegetation plots from complex vegetation systems. Study area: The Italian peninsula including the two main islands (Sicily and Sardinia), but excluding the Alps and the Po plain. Methods: We used a database of 5,593 georeferenced plots and 1,586 vascular species of forest vegetation, created in TURBOVEG by storing published and unpublished phytosociological plots collected over the last 30 years. The plots were classified according to species composition and environmental variables using a FMM. Classification results were compared with those obtained by TWINSPAN algorithm. Groups were characterized in terms of ecological parameters, dominant and diagnostic species using the fidelity coefficient. Interpretation of resulting forest vegetation types was supported by a predictive map, produced using discriminant functions on environmental predictors, and by a non\u2010metric multidimensional scaling ordination. Results: FMM clustering obtained 24 groups that were compared with those from TWINSPAN, and similarities were found only at a higher classification level corresponding to the main orders of the Italian broadleaf forest vegetation: Fagetalia sylvaticae, Carpinetalia betuli, Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae and Quercetalia ilicis. At lower syntaxonomic level, these 24 groups were referred to alliances and sub-alliances. Conclusions: Despite a greater computational complexity, FMM appears to be an effective alternative to the traditional classification methods through the incorporation of modelling in the classificatory process. This allows classification of both the co-occurrence of species and environmental factors so that groups are identified not only on their species composition, as in the case of TWINSPAN, but also on their specific environmental niche

Probabilistic and preferential sampling approaches offer integrated perspectives of Italian forest diversity

Aim: Assessing the performances of different sampling approaches for documenting community diversity may help to identify optimal sampling efforts and strategies, and to enhance conservation and monitoring planning. Here, we used two data sets based on probabilistic and preferential sampling schemes of Italian forest vegetation to analyze the multifaceted performances of the two approaches across three major forest types at a large scale. Location: Italy. Methods: We pooled 804 probabilistic and 16,259 preferential forest plots as samples of vascular plant diversity across the country. We balanced the two data sets in terms of sizes, plot size, geographical position, and vegetation types. For each of the two data sets, 1000 subsets of 201 random plots were compared by calculating the shared and exclusive indicator species, their overlap in the multivariate space, and the areas encompassed by spatially-constrained rarefaction curves. We then calculated an index of performance using the ratio between the additional and total information collected by each sampling approach. The performances were tested and evaluated across the three major forest types. Results: The probabilistic approach performed better in estimating species richness and diversity of species assemblages, but did not detect other components of the regional diversity, such as azonal forests. The preferential approach outperformed the probabilistic approach in detecting forest-specialist species and plant diversity hotspots. Conclusions: Using a novel workflow based on vegetation-plot exclusivities and commonalities, our study suggests probabilistic and preferential sampling approaches are to be used in combination for better conservation and monitor planning purposes to detect multiple aspects of plant community diversity. Our findings can assist the implementation of national conservation planning and large-scale monitoring of biodiversit

Modelling the distribution and compositional variation of plant communities at the continental scale

P. 978-990Aim: To investigate whether (1) environmental predictors allow to delineate the distri- bution of discrete community types at the continental scale and (2) how data complete- ness influences model generalization in relation to the compositional variation of the modelled entities.S

Diversity of European habitat types is correlated with geography more than climate and human pressure

Habitat richness, that is, the diversity of ecosystem types, is a complex, spatially explicit aspect of biodiversity, which is affected by bioclimatic, geographic, and anthropogenic variables. The distribution of habitat types is a key component for understanding broad-scale biodiversity and for developing conservation strategies. We used data on the distribution of European Union (EU) habitats to answer the following questions: (i) how do bioclimatic, geographic, and anthropogenic variables affect habitat richness? (ii) Which of those factors is the most important? (iii) How do interactions among these variables influence habitat richness and which combinations produce the strongest interactions? The distribution maps of 222 terrestrial habitat types as defined by the Natura 2000 network were used to calculate habitat richness for the 10 km × 10 km EU grid map. We then investigated how environmental variables affect habitat richness, using generalized linear models, generalized additive models, and boosted regression trees. The main factors associated with habitat richness were geographic variables, with negative relationships observed for both latitude and longitude, and a positive relationship for terrain ruggedness. Bioclimatic variables played a secondary role, with habitat richness increasing slightly with annual mean temperature and overall annual precipitation. We also found an interaction between anthropogenic variables, with the combination of increased landscape fragmentation and increased population density strongly decreasing habitat richness. This is the first attempt to disentangle spatial patterns of habitat richness at the continental scale, as a key tool for protecting biodiversity. The number of European habitats is related to geography more than climate and human pressure, reflecting a major component of biogeographical patterns similar to the drivers observed at the species level. The interaction between anthropogenic variables highlights the need for coordinated, continental-scale management plans for biodiversity conservation

EUNIS Habitat Classification: Expert system, characteristic species combinations and distribution maps of European habitats

Aim: The EUNIS Habitat Classification is a widely used reference framework for European habitat types (habitats), but it lacks formal definitions of individual habitats that would enable their unequivocal identification. Our goal was to develop a tool for assigning vegetation‐plot records to the habitats of the EUNIS system, use it to classify a European vegetation‐plot database, and compile statistically‐derived characteristic species combinations and distribution maps for these habitats. Location: Europe. Methods: We developed the classification expert system EUNIS‐ESy, which contains definitions of individual EUNIS habitats based on their species composition and geographic location. Each habitat was formally defined as a formula in a computer language combining algebraic and set‐theoretic concepts with formal logical operators. We applied this expert system to classify 1,261,373 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and other databases. Then we determined diagnostic, constant and dominant species for each habitat by calculating species‐to‐habitat fidelity and constancy (occurrence frequency) in the classified data set. Finally, we mapped the plot locations for each habitat. Results: Formal definitions were developed for 199 habitats at Level 3 of the EUNIS hierarchy, including 25 coastal, 18 wetland, 55 grassland, 43 shrubland, 46 forest and 12 man‐made habitats. The expert system classified 1,125,121 vegetation plots to these habitat groups and 73,188 to other habitats, while 63,064 plots remained unclassified or were classified to more than one habitat. Data on each habitat were summarized in factsheets containing habitat description, distribution map, corresponding syntaxa and characteristic species combination. Conclusions: EUNIS habitats were characterized for the first time in terms of their species composition and distribution, based on a classification of a European database of vegetation plots using the newly developed electronic expert system EUNIS‐ESy. The data provided and the expert system have considerable potential for future use in European nature conservation planning, monitoring and assessment

Mapping forest communities in the district of Rieti (Lazio - Central Italy)

Questa ricerca ha portato alla realizzazione di una Carta dei Tipi Forestali del distretto amministrativo reatino (Regione Lazio) e alla parametrizzazione di alcune specie emblematiche delle forme di vegetazione forestali identificate. Le aree ricoperte da foresta hanno conosciuto nell’ultimo ventennio un incremento superficiale del 5,7 %, come rilevato dal confronto dei due Inventari Forestali Nazionali (1985 e 2006). Le ragioni di questa espansione, vanno attribuite all’effetto del dinamismo ricostituivo spontaneo della vegetazione forestale a seguito dell’abbandono delle pratiche agropastorali tradizionali su vasti territori a partire dal dopo guerra. In questo senso anche buona parte delle formazioni a carattere pre-forestale costituite da cespuglieti e macchie, si sono trasformate in stadi successionali più evoluti assumendo la fisionomia di foreste negli ultimi decenni. Questo fenomeno è particolarmente vistoso nel comprensorio reatino, per le mutate condizioni socio-economiche degli ultimi decenni e soprattutto sarà particolarmente vistoso in un prossimo futuro, a seguito della ricostituzione spontanea della vegetazione forestale nella rete dell’aree protette presenti nel territorio. Le attività svolte nell’ambito di questa ricerca corrispondono a due diversi settori operativi. Nel primo l’attività si è concentrata nella realizzazione di una carta della vegetazione forestale derivata dall’utilizzo d’immagini satellitari e da una campagna di rilevamento per una verifica a terra, estesa a circa 950 punti di campionamento. Da ciò è stata ottenuta una carta della vegetazione forestale in scala 1:25.000, ad un dettaglio di precisione cenologica ragguardevole che ha consentito l’identificazione di comunità corrispondenti alle classificazioni attualmente correnti (Tipologie INFC, CORINE Biotopes, EUNIS, EU Forest Type Classification, Habitat Natura 2000 e Nomencltura Fitosociologica). Il secondo settore operativo della ricerca si è concentrato nella formulazione di modelli interpretativi della distribuzione causale di alcune specie emblematiche (Q. ilex, Q. robur, P. halepensis, Betula pendula, Taxus baccata, Fagus sylvatica) secondo i metodi in uso nella Fitogeografia Quantitativa e aggregazione di specie. Va sottolineato come queste acquisizioni possano essere inoltre di grande valore conoscitivo anche nel caso in cui sia necessario affrontare la previsione e quantificazione di eventuali variazioni future nella distribuzione locale di determinate specie, in conseguenza di cambiamenti dello scenario ambientale, come nel caso dell’osservata riduzione in atto negli ultimi decenni delle precipitazioni, aumento delle temperature atmosferiche e incremento dei processi di frammentazione di origine antropica (infrastrutture e sistemi insediativi). Fra gli aspetti innovativi della ricerca va citato il risultato dell’esplorazione durante la fase di rilevamento di campo, che ha messo in luce l’esistenza ancor non nota alla geobotanica regionale di querceti sub-continentali a farnia a carattere zonale nel distretto cicolano-sabino. A ciò va aggiunto il risultato di per se innovativo, della realizzazione di una carta della vegetazione forestale sia al dettaglio cenologico sia al dettaglio di scala prodotto, non ancora disponibile nella documentazione scientifica. Altro elemento innovativo va identificato nella metodologia dell’analisi causalistica (Fitogeografia Quantitativa) Non va dimenticato come sia la cartografia per se, sia l’analisi causalistica riferita alle specie emblematiche, costituiscano la necessaria e insostituibile premessa alla soluzione di problemi gestionali delle risorse forestali nell’armonizzazione fra i criteri di produttività e conservazione, che oggi passa obbligatoriamente attraverso il vaglio e la legittimazione delle Direttive e Normative. Proprio attraverso la cartografia e il tipo di analisi che essa sottende, è stato possibile definire un procedimento utile all’identificazione di aree nelle quali siano presenti popolamenti che per struttura verticale stratificazione e composizione floristica rappresentino modelli, “cenosi di riferimento”, di ragguaglio per le Scienze Forestali e Naturali. La conservazione di tali aree dovrebbe prevedere forme di gestione, che ne salvaguardino la residualità e il valore documentario.This work deals with mapping of forest vegetation in the province of Rieti (Central Italy-Latium region), an area of 2748 sq. Km, which encompasses a district of Central Appennines. Satellite Landsat images have been processed producing a first unsupervised map, a survey based on fieldwork verifying floristic structure and geographic limits (GPS sampling) of forest patches in the landscape mosaic has been carried out. A Supervised classification has therefore been obtained integrating the results of the coenological study in field. Coenology has been outlined describing forest vegetation types on the basis of dominant and codominant species in the plots, eventually connecting this data with Corine Biotopes System Classification and available Phytosociological nomenclature. Fifteen forest types have been recorded and mapped. Relations with existing nomenclature, INFC Classification, CORINE Biotopes, EUNIS, EU Forest Type Classification and Phytosociological-syntaxonomic analysis, has been quoted in order to obtain a satisfactory overview at the European scale. This material has been submitted to quantitative phytogeographic analysis. Descriptive statistics have been applied to a matrix of binary data (presence/absence) of operational geographic units (OGU) of a geographic grid. In these quadrates of 4 x 4 Km, occurrence of a selected amount of emblematic trees has been recorded along with several environmental factors (elevation, slope, aspect, temperature and precipitations, nutrient availability and bed-rock permeability). A geostatistical approach (Kriging, a set of linear regression routines used to interpolate data points) was used in order to obtain isolines of the parameters T and P. On this basis, a surface geostatistical analysis (Cell Statistics) produced mean values for annual T and P for each cell of the grid all across the study area. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM, 20 m resolution) has been used to produce average values within the quadrates for elevation, slope and aspect. An index of “nutrient availability” has been used to quantify the pedological diversity throughout the region. For each cell, a value of average potential soil fertility, based on degrees adimensional semiquantitative scale. An index of “permeability of the parent material” has been used to quantify changes in soil water drainage due to the lithological diversity throughout the region. For each cell, a value of average water availability, dealing with porosity and permeability characteristics of the different parent material, based on degrees adimensional semiquantitative scale. Multivariate analysis has been applied to same dataset in order to obtain graphic overview of the relationships between species and environmental parameters. From Descriptive Statistical and Multivariate analysis significant parameters have been identified able to outline predictive maps of the potential distribution according to these parameters. The whole data set (the matrix of the figures of the significant environmental parameters for each cell) has been analysed comparing the statistical distribution of the cells in which the selected species are recorded. The parameterization produced a simulated “potential range”, which is the core of the probabilistic approach of this study. It identifies a range sometimes larger than the one occupied by the species today. In order to assess the reliability of this prediction a geostatistical analysis has been performed using “the Kriging method”. This approach allows informing important characteristic from the geographical structure of the predicted potential ranges. In some cases (see T. baccata) the locations of some existing stands lie outside the potential area. This suggests ongoing events of range restriction, range pulsation enlightening the local modes in the process of relictuality. On the contrary in the case of P. halepensis the present-day sites suggesting the persistents in the same area of favourable sites with no apparent legacy of range pulsation. The map of the forest vegetation in the district of the territories of Rieti, is per se an important goal in the knowledge of local forest diversity which is innovative due to lack previous documentation. This information is an essential value in the assessment of biogeographically consistent method of management as far as nature conservation is concern.Dottorato di ricerca in Scienze e tecnologie per la gestione forestale e ambiental