G.I.S. technologies for data collection, management and visualization of large slope instabilities: two applications in the Western Italian Alps

International audienceLarge slope instabilities are gravitational phenomena whose main characteristics are the multi-km2 area extension and the complex geometrical, geomorphological and geomechanical settings. Several studies outlined their importance in spatial and temporal occurrence of natural hazards on wide mountain areas and their possible interaction in human activities. For the study of large slope instability and deep seated slope gravitational deformations in the Susa and Aosta Valleys (Western Italian Alps) a complete multiscale program (spatial and temporal) analysis has been performed, giving contributions to the reconstruction and settings of their possible evolution. A complex geodatabase has been created, including thematic elements from field-data collection (geomorphology, hydrology, lithology, structural geology) and instability events analysis from data archives and remote sensing images. To facilitate the management of a large amount of collected data a G.I.S. (Geographical Information System) has been developed, including two main levels of information: local and regional. Local information is mainly devoted to detailed geothematic mapping of single instability phenomena. Clot Brun case study is presented, where original and derived landslide features have been elaborated through arithmetical and statistical operations, in order to identify different instability zones and to assess displacements and state of activity through-time. Regional information collected for a landslide inventory of Aosta Valley (IFFI project) summarizes historical and remote sensing data, combined with metadata from local analysis, in order to assess spatial and temporal hazards. To avoid problems of data accuracy (quality and positioning) due to different source archives, a semi-automatic system for selection and validation of data has been created, based on their spatial characteristics (buffer analysis and control). G.I.S. technologies have been used to archive, manage and visualize collected data through 2-D and 3-D models of single case studies and regional distribution of large slope instabilities

Network Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) Positioning – Description, Architectures and Performances

In this last years, the differential GNSS positioning has had an intensive expansion, especially due to the development and realization of GNSS CORSs (Continuous Operating Reference Stations) networks. One of the main goals of these networks is to give the possibility to the users to extend the differential positioning (whether in real time or post-processing) up to 25-50 km, allowing a positioning useful for applications such as surveying, monitoring and precise navigation. It is possible to find in bibliography some studies that shown the performances of this type of positioning, with their limitations and peculiarities, also in function of the network size. The Network Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) positioning is a very common practice not only in academia but also in the professional world. Since its appearance, over 10 years ago, a growing number of people use this type of positioning not only for topographic applications, but also for the control of vehicles fleets, precision agriculture, land monitoring, etc. This chapter wants try to focus the attention on the methods and characteristics of NRTK positioning and to summarize principles and peculiarities of this type of GNSS positioning: the goal is to show how networks for NRTK positioning work and also to show the differential corrections that are available today, with their performances in order to obtain acceptable results, always considering the accuracy required by the purposes described above. So, first of all the GNSS network positioning will be discussed, starting from the network biases estimation to the rover positioning with particular attention to the differential GNSS corrections such as the Master Auxiliary Concept (MAC), Virtual Reference Station (VRS) and Flächen Korrektur Parameter (FKP). Particular attention will be also devoted both to the transmission of the differential corrections and their problems, such as the GSM coverage, and to the analysis of the RTCM protocol. A theoretical description of the network calculation and biases interpolation will be made and brief results for each correction will be shown, in order to give a practical exampl

Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 8 Mutant Corticotrope Adenomas Present Unique Secretory and Molecular Features and Shed Light on the Role of Ubiquitylation on ACTH Processing

Background: Somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) gene have recently been shown to occur in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, thus calling attention to the ubiquitin system in corticotrope adenomas. Objectives: Assess the consequences of USP8 mutations and establish the role of ubiquitin on ACTH turnover in human ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Methods: USP8 mutation status was established in 126 ACTH-secreting adenomas. Differences in ACTH secretion and POMC expression from adenoma primary cultures and in microarray gene expression profiles from archival specimens were sought according to USP8 sequence. Ubiquitin/ACTH coimmunoprecipitation and incubation with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, were performed in order to establish whether ubiquitin plays a role in POMC/ACTH degradation in corticotrope adenomas. Results: USP8 mutations were identified in 29 adenomas (23%). Adenomas presenting USP8 mutations secreted greater amounts of ACTH and expressed POMC at higher levels compared to USP wild-type specimens. USP8 mutant adenomas were also more sensitive to modulation by CRH and dexamethasone in vitro. At microarray analysis, genes associated with endosomal protein degradation and membrane components were downregulated in USP8 mutant adenomas as were AVPR1B, IL11RA, and PITX2. Inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway increased ACTH secretion and POMC itself proved a target of ubiquitylation, independently of USP8 sequence status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that USP8 mutant ACTH-secreting adenomas present a more "typical" corticotrope phenotype and reduced expression of several genes associated with protein degradation. Further, ubiquitylation is directly involved in intracellular ACTH turnover, suggesting that the ubiquitin-proteasome system may represent a target for treatment of human ACTH-secreting adenomas

Mismatch repair system in endometriotic tissue and eutopic endometrium of unaffected women

9Objective: To test the immunohistochemical staining pattern of some mismatch repair (MMR) system proteins in endometriotic tissue (ET) and eutopic endometrium. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments of the Udine University Hospital. We analyzed 528 samples obtained from 246 patients affected by endometriosis and 71 samples from 71 patients with normal endometrium. A tissue microarray model was used to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of MMR system proteins. Results: Significant loss of MMR proteins was found in the stromal component of ETs. We found MSH2 to be expressed at a higher level than any other MMR system proteins in eutopic endometrium and ETs, to be significantly correlated to Ki-67 expression in both stromal and glandular components of ETs, and to be expressed at a significantly higher level in ETs than in eutopic endometrium. When considering the subgroup of endometriosis with high recurrence rate and glandular cytoplasmic staining for aurora A kinase, we found MMR proteins expressed at a significantly higher level in these ETs than in other ETs and eutopic endometrium of unaffected women. Conclusions: We found significant loss of MMR proteins (known to be associated with microsatellite instability) in the stromal component of ETs. The group of ETs with glandular cytoplasmic staining for aurora A kinase had higher MMR protein expression, suggesting an increased activity of this system. Our result suggests a novel role of increased MSH2 expression in cellular proliferation of endometriosis.openopenGrassi, T.; Calcagno, A.; Marzinotto, S.; Londero, A.P.; Orsaria, M.; Canciani, G.N.; Beltrami, C.A.; Marchesoni, D.; Mariuzzi, L.Grassi, T.; Calcagno, A.; Marzinotto, S.; Londero, Ambrogio P.; Orsaria, M.; Canciani, G. N.; Beltrami, Carlo Alberto; Marchesoni, Diego; Mariuzzi, Laur