Digital image correlation (DIC) analysis of the 3 December 2013 Montescaglioso landslide (Basilicata, Southern Italy). Results from a multi-dataset investigation

Image correlation remote sensing monitoring techniques are becoming key tools for providing effective qualitative and quantitative information suitable for natural hazard assessments, specifically for landslide investigation and monitoring. In recent years, these techniques have been successfully integrated and shown to be complementary and competitive with more standard remote sensing techniques, such as satellite or terrestrial Synthetic Aperture Radar interferometry. The objective of this article is to apply the proposed in-depth calibration and validation analysis, referred to as the Digital Image Correlation technique, to measure landslide displacement. The availability of a multi-dataset for the 3 December 2013 Montescaglioso landslide, characterized by different types of imagery, such as LANDSAT 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager) and TIRS (Thermal Infrared Sensor), high-resolution airborne optical orthophotos, Digital Terrain Models and COSMO-SkyMed Synthetic Aperture Radar, allows for the retrieval of the actual landslide displacement field at values ranging from a few meters (2–3 m in the north-eastern sector of the landslide) to 20–21 m (local peaks on the central body of the landslide). Furthermore, comprehensive sensitivity analyses and statistics-based processing approaches are used to identify the role of the background noise that affects the whole dataset. This noise has a directly proportional relationship to the different geometric and temporal resolutions of the processed imagery. Moreover, the accuracy of the environmental-instrumental background noise evaluation allowed the actual displacement measurements to be correctly calibrated and validated, thereby leading to a better definition of the threshold values of the maximum Digital Image Correlation sub-pixel accuracy and reliability (ranging from 1/10 to 8/10 pixel) for each processed dataset

Stonehouse Pond Conservation

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is partnering with New Hampshire Fish and Game, the Town of Barrington, and Strafford Rivers Conservancy to complete the Stonehouse Pond Conservation Project - a collaborative effort to protect 241 forested acres surrounding Stonehouse Pond in New Hampshire\u27s fast growing coastal region. The property, located within a 4,200-acre block of unfragmented forest, has been recognized as a conservation priority in the NH Wildlife Action Plan and the Land Conservation Plan for the NH\u27s Coastal Watersheds, and is part of TPL\u27s broader Coastal Conservation Initiative. TPL has secured an option to purchase the properties in two Phases and, upon successfully acquiring the property will convey Phase I to New Hampshire Fish and Game and Phase II to Strafford Rivers Conservancy Service. Public access for low impact recreation will be encouraged

Simulation and experimental evaluation of a flexible time triggered ethernet architecture applied in satellite nano/micro launchers

The success of small satellites has led to the study of new technologies for the realization of Nano and Micro Launch Vehicle (NMLV) in order to make competitive launch costs. The paper has the objective to define and experimentally investigate the performance of a communication system for NMLV interconnecting the End Systems as On-Board Computer (OBC), telemetry apparatus, Navigation Unit...we propose a low cost Ethernet-based solution able to provide the devices with high interconnection bandwidth. To guarantee hard delays to the Guide, Navigation and Control applications we propose some architectural changes of the traditional Ethernet network with the introduction of a layer implemented in the End Systems and allow for the lack of any contention on the network links. We show how the proposed solution has comparable performance to the one of TTEthernet standard that is a very expensive solution. An experimental test-bed equipped with Ethernet switches and Hercules boards by Texas Instruments is also provided to prove the feasibility of the proposed solution

Variable neighborhood search for extremal graphs. 5. Three ways to automate finding conjectures

AbstractThe AutoGraphiX system determines classes of extremal or near-extremal graphs with a variable neighborhood search heuristic. From these, conjectures may be deduced interactively. Three methods, a numerical, a geometric and an algebraic one are proposed to automate also this last step. This leads to automated deduction of previous conjectures, strengthening of a series of conjectures from Graffiti and obtention of several new conjectures, four of which are proved

The role of physical activity in counteracting age-related sarcopenia and cancer cachexia: A brief literature review

Muscle tissue plays several important health functions . In addition to the important mechanical functions, it represents the biggest reserve of body proteins and it is also able to produce several myokines that are able to induce important beneficial effects, through the interaction with different organs. The loss of muscle mass has a tremendous impact on health and it is not surprising that a great interest has raised on two degenerative, irreversible and unstoppable conditions known as sarcopenia and cachexia. Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, is not a disease or a syndrome, it is not even a medical sign sometimes. Indeed, a general consensus among scientists does not exist regarding the definition and the identification criteria of this condition. On the other hand, cachexia is a wasting syndrome characterized by an uncontrolled and unstoppable loss of muscle mass, associated with fatigue and weakness. It is often associated with a disease like cancer, AIDS, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis etc. Given the complexity of these muscle conditions and considering that during aging and cancer there is an increased risk of comorbidities, regular physical activity might be a crucial point to be carefully evaluated on a single patient basis. The aim of this review is to highlight the impact on society and the etiology of sarcopenia and cancer cachexia, with particular regard to the role played by physical activity in preventing and counteracting these muscle-wasting conditions, focusing attention also on the limitation factors that must be considered during the prescription of physical activity to sarcopenic and cachectic patients

Spectral Reconstruction and Isomorphism of graphs using variable neighbourhood search

The Euclidean distance between the eigenvalue sequences of graphs G and H, on the same number of vertices, is called the spectral distance between G and H. This notion is the basis of a heuristic algorithm for reconstructing a graph with prescribed spectrum. By using a graph Γ constructed from cospectral graphs G and H, we can ensure that G and H are isomorphic if and only if the spectral distance between Γ  and G+K2 is zero. This construction is exploited to design a heuristic algorithm for testing graph isomorphism. We present preliminary experimental results obtained by implementing these algorithms in conjunction with a meta-heuristic known as a variable neighbourhood search

Silicone oil: Different physical proprieties and clinical applications

Silicone oils are important tools in vitreoretinal surgery because they have the ability to displace aqueous humor from the retinal surface, maintaining the adhesion between retina and retinal pigment epithelium. To understand this capability, it is important to know the silicone oil characteristics. Herein, we report first on the main chemical-physical proprieties and then we review the clinical applications of the current silicone oil which is lighter than water with particular reference to their indications with small gauge vitrectomy. Finally, we describe the surgical techniques to inject and remove this type of silicone oil. In the summary of this paper, we explain why silicone oils are today increasingly used and why their introduction has improved the prognosis of several retinal diseases. In fact, having different types of silicone oils allows us to choose the appropriate endotamponade for every single case

The Randic index and the diameter of graphs

The {\it Randi\'c index} $R(G)$ of a graph $G$ is defined as the sum of 1/\sqrt{d_ud_v} over all edges $uv$ of $G$, where $d_u$ and $d_v$ are the degrees of vertices $u$ and $v,$ respectively. Let $D(G)$ be the diameter of $G$ when $G$ is connected. Aouchiche-Hansen-Zheng conjectured that among all connected graphs $G$ on $n$ vertices the path $P_n$ achieves the minimum values for both $R(G)/D(G)$ and $R(G)- D(G)$. We prove this conjecture completely. In fact, we prove a stronger theorem: If $G$ is a connected graph, then $R(G)-(1/2)D(G)\geq \sqrt{2}-1$, with equality if and only if $G$ is a path with at least three vertices.Comment: 17 pages, accepted by Discrete Mathematic

Corneal Cross-Linking in a 4-Year-Old Child With Keratoconus and Down Syndrome

PURPOSE To describe the clinical outcome of corneal cross-linking (CXL) in a young child with keratoconus. METHODS This is a case report of a young girl with keratoconus with ophthalmologic findings and 3-year follow-up. Follow-up visits included visual acuity measurement, retinoscopy, corneal tomography, and topography. RESULTS A girl with Down syndrome was diagnosed with bilateral keratoconus and relative amblyopia at the age of 4 years. The best-corrected near visual acuity was 20/100 binocularly. Corneal tomography showed the following parameters: OD K(max) 47.2 diopters (D), thinnest location 442 μm; OS K(max) 49.6 D, thinnest location 432 μm. Three months later, the keratoconus in the left eye progressed (K(max) 50.2 D, thinnest location 424 μm), and CXL was performed. One year later, CXL was necessary also in the right eye because of progression. The girl was most recently reexamined at the age of 7 years. The corrected near visual acuity was 20/80 in both eyes. The corneal curvature slightly flattened, and the corneal thickness stabilized (OD K(max) 46.8 D, thinnest location 389 μm; OS K(max) 49.4 D, thinnest location 360 μm). CONCLUSIONS Onset of keratoconus can occur in early childhood, especially in patients with Down syndrome. In this case, CXL was performed at 4 and 5 years of age without complications and stopped further keratoconus progression