Preliminary findings from a survey on the MD state of the practice

In the context of an Italian research project, this paper reports on an on-line survey, performed with 155 software professionals, with the aim of investigating about their opinions and experiences in modeling during software development and Model-driven engineering usage. The survey focused also on used modeling languages, processes and tools. A preliminary analysis of the results confirmed that Model-driven engineering, and more in general software modeling, are very relevant phenomena. Approximately 68% of the sample use models during software development. Among then, 44% generate code starting from models and 16% execute them directly. The preferred language for modeling is UML but DSLs are used as wel

The proximal ulnar perforator flap (PUPF) for hand digital reconstruction: an anatomical study

Degloving injuries of the fingers represent a reconstructive challenge. Even if poorly described in literature, the proximal ulnar perforator flap (PUPF), based on perforator of the anterior ulnar recurrent artery or directly on a perforator branch of the ulnar artery, meets the requested criteria for the ideal coverage. We performed a cadaveric study in order to clarify the anatomical basis and vascularization of the PUPF flap. Eight injected upper limb specimens were dissected for this study: perforators were followed down to their origin and classified in terms of number, length, diameters and distances between their emergence and specific pre-determined landmarks as the medial humeral epicondyle. At least one ulnar perforator in the proximal third of the forearm was identified in all the specimens. In 50% of the upper limbs, the perforator branch came directly from the ulnar artery, while in the 87.5% a perforator branch came from the anterior recurrent ulnar artery; in 3 out of 8 cases both perforator branches were described. Mean lengths of the perforator branch were 57.9 mm and 44.3 mm, respectively and the mean diameters measured at their origin were 0.99 mm and 1.17 mm respectively. Our data illustrate the consistency of at least one perforator branch from the proximal third of the ulnar artery, most commonly coming from the anterior recurrent ulnar artery. Considering our results, the PUPF could be a good alternative to the classical free flaps for the resurfacing of the finger defects

Nematode communities from a natural oil seep off Svalbard.

Cold seeps are considered hotspots of energy on the seafloor, establishing unique conditions for life to thrive. In chemosynthetic-based habitats such as these, sediments from active sites are typically inhabited by endemic nematode communities which tolerate the local reduced environmental conditions, but no studies have been carried out on seep sites so far north in the Arctic. Under the scope of the AKMA project, an oil seep site located offshore Svalbard was sampled for the first time to investigate the associated meiofauna assemblages with methane and crude oil seepage. Replicated samples were collected by means of the blade and push cores handled by the ROV Ægir6000, both on bacterial mats with evident gas and oil seepage, as well as in sediments nearby without evident seepage activity, as reference. Sediments collected were used to characterize the community structure and diversity of the meiofauna taxa, particularly the nematode assemblages, as well as key environmental parameters (i.e, sediment and porewater geochemistry, organic content, grain size). Preliminary observations showed no major differences in total meiofauna density between microhabitats, with a predominance of nematodes (>90%), followed by harpacticoid copepods and nauplii larvae, typically seen in other deep-sea environments. However, an in-depth investigation into the nematode assemblages revealed that bacterial mats hosted an extremely low diversity of nematode species, by comparison, to the reference locations. Bacterial mat-associated assemblages were predominantly composed of a single species, Dichromadora sp.1, followed by Halomonhystera cf. disjuncta and Linhomoidae sp. 1. Evidence of morphological and reproductive adaptations in the species present seems to allow them to survive in this toxic environment, namely due to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and oil presence. The findings resulting from this study contribute to a large gap in the understanding of how infauna thrive in extreme environments with the presence of hydrocarbons in the Arcti

Nematode communities from a natural oil seep off Svalbard

Cold-seep sediments, where active fluid seepage rich is observed, have been associated with the presence of endemic nematode communities. Under the scope of the AKMA project, a seep site located offshore Svalbard was sampled for the first time to investigate the Nematoda assemblages associated with methane and crude oil seepage. Replicated samples were collected by means of the blade- and push-cores, on a bacterial mat where active gas and oil seepage was observed, as well as in sediments nearby without evident seepage activity, as reference. Sediments collected were used to characterize the community structure and diversity of the meiofauna taxa, particularly the nematode assemblages, as well as key environmental parameters (i.e, sediment and pore-water geochemistry, organic content, grain size). Preliminary observations showed no major differences in total meiofauna density between microhabitats, with a predominance of nematodes (>90%), followed by harpacticoid copepods and nauplii larvae, as typically seen in other deep-sea environments. However, an in-depth investigation into the nematode assemblages, revealed a low nematode diversity in the bacterial mats sediments, by comparison, to the reference. Bacterial mat-associated assemblages were predominantly composed of Halomonhystera sp.1 (39%), followed by a single Chromadoridae species (32%). Evidence of morphological and reproductive adaptations were observed in several of the species present and could be indicative of how these organisms are able to survive the toxic environmental conditions at this seep site, namely high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and crude oil. These observations contribute to a large gap in the understanding of how infauna thrive in extreme environments in the Arctic

Biochar Enhances Plant Growth, Fruit Yield, and Antioxidant Content of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a Soilless Substrate

Biochar soil amendment can improve growing medium water and nutrient status and crop productivity. A pot experiment was conducted using Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme plants to investigate the effects of biochar amendment (20% application rate) on a soilless substrate, as well as on plant growth, fruit yield, and quality. During the experiment, substrate characteristics, plant morphological traits, and root and leaf C/N content were analyzed at three sampling points defined as early stage (36 days after germination), vegetative stage (84 days a. g.), and fruit stage (140 days a. g.). Fruit morphological traits, titratable acidity, lycopene, and solid soluble content were measured at the end of the experiment. Biochar ameliorated substrate characteristics (Nav increase of 17% and Ctot increase of 13% at the beginning of the study), resulting in a promotion effect on plant root, shoot, and leaf morphology mainly at the vegetative and fruit stages. Indeed, at these two sampling points, the biochar-treated plants had a greater number of leaves (38 and 68 at the vegetative and fruit stages, respectively) than the untreated plants (32 and 49, respectively). The biochar also increased leaf area with a rise of 26% and 36% compared with the values measured in the untreated plants. Moreover, the amendment increased twofold root length, root surface area, and root, stem, and leaf biomasses in comparison with untreated plants. Regarding plant productivity, although fruit morphology remained unchanged, biochar increased flower and fruit numbers (six times and two times, respectively), acidity (75%), lycopene (28%), and solid soluble content (16%). By unveiling promoting changes in morphological traits, fruit number, and antioxidant content occurring in cherry tomato plants growing in a biochar-treated soilless substrate, it could be possible to highlight the importance of biochar for future applications in the field for enhancing plant production and fruit quality in a sustainable agriculture framework

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs