Water use and water saving in Italian hospitals. A preliminary investigation

Aim. The aim of this work is to investigate about water use, wastage, saving and reuse in hospitals. Methods. An anonymous ad hoc questionnaire was tested in a sample of 36 public hospitals of Lombardy Region (21% of total public hospitals). Daily water consumption reported is on average equal to 481 m3, ranging from 30 to 2280 m3. There is a strong correlation between water consumption and number of hospital beds (p < 0.005). In 33 hospitals (92%) water consumption is measured and, among them, in about 48% more than one flow meter is installed; 86% consider “important” the reduction of water consumption and about 55% recognize that wastewater could be minimized within the structures. Discussion. There is consensus about the need to train health personnel and to implement technical measures to improve the water resources management, but initiatives to raise knowledge and awareness of health personnel have been promoted only in 10% of hospitals. Results. Results show not only a lack of awareness regarding water use and saving among the personnel in general, but also among heads of the hospitas’ technical office and energy managers as well. For this reason, it will be of interest to carry out this investigation at national level and also to develop recommendations to support and promote a safe reuse of water in all the hospitals

Artificial Intelligence in Geomorphology: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends, Techniques, and Global Research Patterns

In recent years, artificial intelligence has gained significant traction in Earth sciences, driving a shift from qualitative approaches to quantitative, data-driven methodologies. In geomorphology, artificial intelligence techniques are now applied at multiple scales and for diverse purposes, leveraging a wide spectrum of methods including supervised and unsupervised machine learning, regression algorithms, classification models, clustering techniques, neural networks, and dimensionality reduction. This study presents a structured bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature indexed in Scopus, analyzing over 2000 articles published between 1990 and 2024. Through a bibliometric approach, we explore temporal trends, the most commonly used artificial intelligence techniques, thematic domains, geographic patterns, and associated keywords. Results reveal the pervasive use of artificial intelligence in key geomorphological areas, particularly in fluvial, coastal, and erosional contexts, alongside the adoption of a rich variety of algorithms. The study also highlights the wide range of AI techniques applied in geomorphological research, spanning from traditional machine learning models to advanced neural architectures. This review provides a critical overview of the current landscape and outlines future directions to support more transparent, equitable, and integrated adoption of artificial intelligence in geomorphological research. The findings of this study are relevant to a wide range of stakeholders. Researchers and Ph.D. candidates can use the results to identify dominant thematic and methodological trajectories and detect underexplored areas. Data scientists and AI specialists may benefit from the mapped applications to implement advanced techniques in geomorphological contexts. The analysis also offers useful insights for funding agencies aiming to support strategic and equitable research development, particularly in underrepresented regions. Finally, journal editors and publishers may use emerging trends to inform the design of thematic issues and research priorities

Remote sensing techniques to assess badlands dynamics: insights from a systematic review

Badlands are typical landforms that develop on unconsolidated sediments or poorly consolidated bedrock, with bare or sparse vegetation, generally characterized by high rates of erosion. These landscapes are vulnerable to dynamic changes driven by natural processes such as rainfall and tectonic processes, as well as anthropogenic factors including deforestation and land reclamation. The evolution of their interaction significantly influences resource management, particularly soil and water, and informs sustainable land-use planning strategies. Monitoring and analyzing badlands dynamics is crucial for understanding their downstream effects and mitigating natural and environmental hazards such as landslides, debris flows, piping and sediment delivery to rivers. Remote sensing (RS) technologies, from ground- to satellite-based, have emerged as valuable tools for assessing these processes due to their ability to provide data at high spatial and/or temporal resolutions over complex terrains. This article provides a systematic overview of recent advancements in RS techniques applied to badlands, highlighting their respective contributions across various environmental contexts. Starting from 516 papers retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus databases, the review synthesizes the main findings of 96 peer-reviewed studies selected by the use of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) process. The majority of these studies (59%) were conducted in Europe, with significant contributions from Italy, Spain and France. Ground-based methods like Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) remain invaluable for site-specific studies that focus on fine-scale processes such as rill formation and micro-landslides, while airborne laser scanning and aerial photography and photogrammetry, offer broader spatial coverage, facilitating the creation of geomorphological maps and the analysis of large-scale erosional features. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), emerging since 2011, have bridged the gap between ground precision field studies and aerial scalability, becoming essential for 3D mapping and erosion monitoring in inaccessible terrain. Satellite imagery is a leading tool due to its extensive spatial and temporal coverage, enhancing land-use change monitoring and erosion modeling capabilities. The study also emphasizes the importance of well-known tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support the analysis of data and the creation of thematic maps (e.g. erosion susceptibility, land use/land cover, geotourism), while also recognizing the increasing role of Machine Learning (ML) in handling large and complex datasets, identifying hidden patterns, and supporting predictive analyses in environmental research. By providing a structured comparison of RS approaches in relation to their spatial scale, resolution, and applicability, this study contributes to a better understanding of their potential and limitations in badlands research, and offers a useful reference for designing future monitoring strategies

COVID-19 and cities. From urban health strategies to the pandemic challenge. a decalogue of public health opportunities

Contesto e scopo del lavoro. La pandemia in corso di COVID-19, che al giorno d'oggi ha superato 2,5 milioni di infezioni notificate nel mondo e circa 200.000 morti, è un forte promemoria che l'urbanizzazione ha cambiato il modo in cui persone e comunità vivono, lavorano e interagiscono, ed è necessario rendere i sistemi e le capacità locali resilienti per prevenire la diffusione di malattie infettive. Come possiamo riprogettare il concetto di sanità pubblica in relazione all'ambiente costruito e alle città contemporanee? Metodi. Secondo le dichiarazioni e lo scenario precedenti, l'obiettivo di questo documento è integrare gli obiettivi strategici di Urban Health, concentrando le possibili risposte, sia immediate che a medio-lungo termine, agli attuali aspetti ambientali, sociali ed economici del "periodo" di distanziamento fisico. Risultati. Le azioni immediate sono 01. programmare la flessibilità degli orari delle città; 02. pianificare una rete di mobilità intelligente e sostenibile; 03. definire un piano di servizi di vicinato; 04. sviluppare una digitalizzazione del contesto urbano, promuovendo le comunità intelligenti; 05. ripensare l'accessibilità ai luoghi della cultura e del turismo. Le azioni a medio lungo termine sono 06. progettare la flessibilità interna degli spazi abitativi domestici; 07. ripensare le tipologie di edifici, favorendo la presenza di spazi semi-privati ​​o collettivi; 08. rinnovare la rete dei servizi di assistenza di base; 09. integrare i piani di emergenza ambientale esistenti, con quelli relativi alle emergenze sanitarie; 10. migliorare la consapevolezza delle parti interessate sui fattori che influenzano la salute pubblica nelle città. Conclusioni. Il decalogo delle opportunità di sanità pubblica può fornire una base utile per progettisti (architetti e urbanisti), responsabili politici, esperti di sanità pubblica e agenzie sanitarie locali, nel promuovere azioni e politiche volte a trasformare le nostre città in ambienti di vita più salutari e salutogenici.Background and aim of the work. The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, which nowadays has exceeded 2.5 million notified infections in the world and about 200,000 deaths, is a strong reminder that urbanization has changed the way that people and communities live, work, and interact, and it’s necessary to make the systems and local capacities resilient to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. How we can re-design the concept of Public Health in relation to the built environment and the contemporary cities? Methods. According to the previous statements and scenario, aim of this paper is to integrate the Urban Health strategic objectives, focusing the possible responses, both immediate and medium-long term, to the current environmental, social, and economic aspects of the ‘period’ of physical distancing. Results.Immediate Actions are 01. program the flexibility of city schedules; 02. plan a smart and sustainable mobility network; 03. define a neighborhood services’ plan; 04. develop a digitization of the urban context, promoting the smart communities; 05. re-think the accessibility to the places of culture and tourism. Medium-long term Actions are 06. design the indoor flexibility of domestic living spaces; 07. re-think building typologies, fostering the presence of semi-private or collective spaces; 08. renovate the basic care services’ network; 09. integrate the existing environmental emergency plans, with those related to the health emergencies; 10. improve stakeholders’ awareness of the factors affecting Public Health in the cities. Conclusions. The Decalogue of Public Health opportunities may provide a useful basis for Designers (Architects and Urban Planners), Policy Makers, Public Health experts and Local Health Agencies, in promoting actions and policies aimed to transform our cities in healthier and Salutogenic living environments

COVID-19 and living space challenge. Well-being and public health recommendations for a healthy, safe, and sustainable housing

Background and aim of the work: The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 is a strong reminder that the lockdown period has changed the way that people and communities live, work, and interact, and it’s necessary to make resilient the built environment, both outdoor and mainly the indoor spaces: housing, workplaces, public buildings, and entertainment facilities. How can we re-design the concept of Well-being and Public Health in relation to the living places of the future? Methods: According to the previous statements and scenario, this paper aims to integrate the building hygiene and well-being, focusing the possible responses, both existing and for the new buildings, taking home a strong message from this “period” of physical distancing. Results: The Well-being and Public Health recommendations for a healthy, safe, and sustainable housing are framed into the following key points: 1. Visible and accessible green elements and spaces; 2. Flexibility, adaptability, sharing, and crowding of living spaces, and compliant functions located into the buildings; 3. Re-appropriation of the basic principles and archetypes of sustainable architecture, thermal comfort and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ); 4. Water consumption and Wastewater Management; 5. Urban Solid Waste Management; 6. Housing automation and electromagnetic fields; 7. Indoor building and finishing materials. Conclusions: The Well-being and Public Health recommendations for a healthy, safe and sustainable housing may provide a useful basis for Designers, Policy Makers (fostering tax incentives for building renewal), Public Health experts and Local Health Agencies, in promoting actions and policies aimed to transform living places in healthier and Salutogenic spaces. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Design and hygiene issues in sports facilities. A pilot study which investigates fitness centres by using a multidisciplinary tool

Introduction. In recent years there has been a considerable increase in general public\u27s awareness of the benefits of physical activity on health, and the number of people becoming physically active has risen. Being gyms the main indoor environment for practicing physical activity, the growth of their attendance has increased the importance of these places.Methods. A multidisciplinary team has developed an assessment tool for hygiene and safety of these areas that evaluates different components (location, dimension, maintenance, etc.). Each section consists of a series of questions that evaluators and facility managers must answer.Discussion. The tool was tested on a sample of case studies analyzing several critical issues that might affect the quality of spaces and users’ health.Conclusions. The observed critical points will allow the future implementation of the instrument. Several design and management considerations also were highlighted, in order to improve the hygiene and health aspects of gyms.Keywords. Design and Management strategies; Fitness centers; Evaluation tool; Indoor Environment; Multidisciplinary approach

Toxoplasma Gondii Replication During Belatacept Treatment in Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Belatacept is a chimeric protein that acts as a selective blocker of T-lymphocyte co-stimulation. It has been proposed for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection. This paper reports a literature review on pharmacological characteristics of belatacept and genetic factors influencing its efficacy and safety profile. A severe case of neurotoxoplasmosis observed in a kidney transplant recipient (KTR) treated with belatacept is also described. It appears that the interference of belatacept on guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) expression in antigen-presenting cells (APC) cytoplasm could be involved in Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo-g) reactivation in seropositive KTRs. Additionally, genetic variations in immune regulatory genes encoding CTLA-4 and Blimp-1 may influence individual susceptibility to infection and immune modulation under belatacept therapy. In conclusion, we highlight the importance of drug avoidance and/or increased surveillance in Toxo-g IgG-positive KTR. We also retain that further studies on the host defense pathways involved in the surveillance of opportunistic pathogens in KTR are strongly desirable