Il sistema di monitoraggio della grotta del Farneto (BO), Marta Cristiani, Claudio Dalmonte, Jo De Waele, Monica Ghirotti

La grotta del Farneto è la più famosa cavità del Parco Naturale Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa. La grotta, scoperta nel 1871 ed esplorata nei primi del Novecento, dopo decenni di abbandono fu chiusa al pubblico agli inizi degli anni ‘90 a seguito di frane che ne avevano ostruito l’ingresso. Dopo importanti lavori di consolidamento, la grotta è stata riaperta al pubblico nell’ottobre 2008. Al fine di valutare le condizioni di stabilità delle aree aperte ai visitatori, il Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geologico-Ambientali dell’Università di Bologna gestisce i dati (a frequenza oraria) provenienti da un sistema di monitoraggio costituito da 6 estensimetri e due clinometri installati in corrispondenza delle situazioni di maggiore criticità. A supporto di tali dati (aperture/chiusure di discontinuità in roccia o rotazioni di blocchi potenzialmente instabili) sono state installate tre centraline per l’acquisizione della temperatura dell’aria e dell’umidità relativa. Dall’analisi dei dati di tre anni di monitoraggio, si osserva come i movimenti risultino indipendenti dalle precipitazioni e dall’umidità relativa, mentre si riconoscono comportamenti deformativi correlabili inversamente alla temperatura dell’aria, con cicli di dilatazione/contrazione termica delle discontinuità a cui si sovrappone un effetto di isteresi per cui, nell’arco dell’anno, è rilevabile una progressiva e non recuperabile deformazione.Farneto is the most famous cave of the Regional Natural Park of “Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa”. The cave, discovered in 1871 and explored in the early years of the XXth century, after decennia of abandonment, was closed to the public in the early 90s because of mass movements that had obstructed the entrance. After important stabilisation works the cave was reopened to the public in October 2008. In order to evaluate the stability conditions of the areas open to visitors, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Bologna University is managing data (on an hourly basis) measured by a monitoring system composed of six extension meters and two clinometers placed in those areas having the most critical situations. Together with these instruments (that measure opening and closure of rock discontinuities or rotation of potentially unstable blocks) also three monitoring devices for temperature and relative humidity have been put in place. From the data analysis of three years of monitoring it is clear that the small movements are independent from rainfall and relative air humidity, while some of the changes are inversely correlated to temperature variations, with cycles of thermal contraction and dilatation. However, despite this cyclic behavior, the recorded deformations appear to be progressively increasing over the three years

Elementary After School Programs: An Opportunity to Promote Physical Activity for Children

Objective: To present project design and baseline characteristics of a project promoting life-long physical activity (PA) in an elementary after-school program. Methods: The project incorporates a two group design with delayed treatment control. PA and context observations and surveys (n=533; grades 4-6; attitude, enjoyment, intention, subjective norm, confidence, PA behavior, and fruit and vegetable consumption) were conducted. Results: Students spend almost 90 minutes standing, sitting and lying down and less than 17 minutes in moderate and vigorous PA during the after-school program. Students were strenuously active 3.89 days per week, moderately active 3.12 days per week, and mildly active 3.06 days per week, and watched television or played video games for 3.71 hours per day during leisure time. Attitudes, enjoyment, intention, and subjective norms differentiated students in different stages of PA. Discussion: There is an opportunity for PA promotion during after school, and stage specific interventions are indicated to facilitate PA

Help or hindrance? The evolutionary impact of whole‐genome duplication on immunogenetic diversity and parasite load

Whole‐genome duplication (WGD) events occur in all kingdoms and have been hypothesized to promote adaptability. WGDs identified in the early history of vertebrates, teleosts, and angiosperms have been linked to the large‐scale diversification of these lineages. However, the mechanics and full outcomes of WGD regarding potential evolutionary impacts remain a topic of debate. The Corydoradinae are a diverse subfamily of Neotropical catfishes with over 170 species described and a history of WGDs. They are divided into nine mtDNA lineages, with species coexisting in sympatric—and often mimetic—communities containing representatives of two or more of the nine lineages. Given their similar life histories, coexisting species of Corydoras might be exposed to similar parasite loads and because of their different histories of WGD and genome size they provide a powerful system for investigating the impacts of WGD on immune diversity and function in an animal system. Here, we compared parasite counts and the diversity of the immune‐related toll‐like receptors (TLR) in two coexisting species of Corydoras catfish (C. maculifer and C. araguaiaensis), one diploid and one putative tetraploid. In the putative tetraploid C. araguaiaensis, we found significantly lower numbers of parasites and significantly higher diversity (measured by both synonymous and nonsynonymous SNP counts) in two TLR genes than in the diploid C. maculifer. These results provide insight into how WGD may impact evolution, in this case by providing greater immunogenetic diversity

Progetto Life+ 08NAT/IT/000369“GYPSUM”. Primi risultati sulle analisi chimiche delle acque nei gessi dell’Emilia Romagna

Dal 2010 è in corso il Progetto Life+ 08NAT/IT/000369 “Gypsum” finalizzato alla tutela e gestione dei principali ambienti gessosi dell’Emilia-Romagna e cofinanziato dall’Unione Europea. Nell’ambito dell’Azione A3 è previsto un monitoraggio pluriennale dei principali acquiferi carsici sotto l’aspetto chimico e microbiologico. In questo lavoro vengono presentati i primi risultati di questo monitoraggio idrochimico.Since 2010 a Project Life + 08NAT/IT/000369 “Gypsum” is running, dealing with the safeguard and management of the main gypsum environments of Emilia Romagna region and cofinanced by the European Union. Action A3 of this Project is concerned with the pluriannual hydrochemical and microbiological monitoring of the most important gypsum aquifers. In this paper the first results of this hydrochemical monitoring are presented

Improved kinetic behaviour of Mg(NH2)2-2LiH doped with nanostructured K-modified-LixTiyOz for hydrogen storage

The system Mg(NH2)2 + 2LiH is considered as an interesting solid-state hydrogen storage material owing to its low thermodynamic stability of ca. 40 kJ/mol H2 and high gravimetric hydrogen capacity of 5.6 wt.%. However, high kinetic barriers lead to slow absorption/desorption rates even at relatively high temperatures (>180 °C). In this work, we investigate the effects of the addition of K-modified LixTiyOz on the absorption/desorption behaviour of the Mg(NH2)2 + 2LiH system. In comparison with the pristine Mg(NH2)2 + 2LiH, the system containing a tiny amount of nanostructured K-modified LixTiyOz shows enhanced absorption/desorption behaviour. The doped material presents a sensibly reduced (∼30 °C) desorption onset temperature, notably shorter hydrogen absorption/desorption times and reversible hydrogen capacity of about 3 wt.% H2 upon cycling. Studies on the absorption/desorption processes and micro/nanostructural characterizations of the Mg(NH2)2 + 2LiH + K-modified LixTiyOz system hint to the fact that the presence of in situ formed nanostructure K2TiO3 is the main responsible for the observed improved kinetic behaviour.Fil: Gizer, Gökhan. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; AlemaniaFil: Puszkiel, Julián Atilio. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; Alemania. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Ezeiza; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Castro Riglos, Maria Victoria. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; Alemania. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Ezeiza; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pistidda, Claudio. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; AlemaniaFil: Ramallo Lopez, Jose Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Mizrahi, Martin Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; AlemaniaFil: Santoru, Antonio. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; AlemaniaFil: Gemming, Thomas. IFW Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Tseng, Jo Chi. German Electron Synchrotron; AlemaniaFil: Klassen, Thomas. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; AlemaniaFil: Dornheim, Martin. Max-planck Strasse. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht GmbH. Institute of Materials Research; Alemani

Involving patients, families and medical staff in the evaluation of 3D printing models of congenital heart disease

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of 3D printing patient-specific models of congenital heart disease (CHD) from the perspective of different stakeholders potentially benefiting from the technology (patients, parents, clinicians and nurses). &#x0D; Methods: Workshops, focus groups and teaching sessions were organized, each targeting a different group of stakeholders. Sessions involved displaying and discussing different 3D models of CHD. Model evaluation involved questionnaires, audio-recorded discussions and written feedback. &#x0D; Results: All stakeholders expressed a liking for the 3D models and for the patient-specific quality of such models. Patients indicated that 3D models can help them imagine “what’s going on inside” and parents agreed that these tools can spark curiosity in the young people. Clinicians indicated that teaching might be the most relevant application of such novel technology and nurses agreed that 3D models improved their learning experience during a course focused on CHD. &#x0D; Conclusion: The successful engagement of different stakeholders to evaluate 3D printing technology for CHD identified different priorities, highlighting the importance of eliciting the views of different groups. &#x0D; Practice Implications: A PPI-based approach in the evaluation and translation of 3D printing technology may increase patient empowerment, improve patient-doctor communication and provide better access to a new teaching and training tool.</jats:p

A common statement on anthropogenic hybridization of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris)

Preserving natural genetic diversity and ecological function of wild species is a central goal in conservation biology. As such, anthropogenic hybridization is considered a threat to wild populations, as it can lead to changes in the genetic makeup of wild species and even to the extinction of wild genomes. In European wildcats, the genetic and ecological impacts of gene flow from domestic cats are mostly unknown at the species scale. However, in small and isolated populations, it is known to include genetic swamping of wild genomes. In this context, it is crucial to better understand the dynamics of hybridization across the species range, to inform and implement management measures that maintain the genetic diversity and integrity of the European wildcat. In the present paper, we aim to provide an overview of the current scientific understanding of anthropogenic hybridization in European wildcats, to clarify important aspects regarding the evaluation of hybridization given the available methodologies, and to propose guidelines for management and research priorities.publishedVersio

Piloting the Use of Patient-Specific Cardiac Models as a Novel Tool to Facilitate Communication During Cinical Consultations

This pilot study aimed to assess the impact of using patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) models of congenital heart disease (CHD) during consultations with adolescent patients. Adolescent CHD patients (n = 20, age 15-18 years, 15 male) were asked to complete two questionnaires during a cardiology transition clinic at a specialist centre. The first questionnaire was completed just before routine consultation with the cardiologist, the second just after the consultation. During the consultation, each patient was presented with a 3D full heart model realised from their medical imaging data. The model was used by the cardiologist to point to main features of the CHD. Outcome measures included rating of health status, confidence in explaining their condition to others, name and features of their CHD (as a surrogate for CHD knowledge), impact of CHD on their lifestyle, satisfaction with previous/current visits, positive/negative features of the 3D model, and open-ended feedback. Significant improvements were registered in confidence in explaining their condition to others (p = 0.008), knowledge of CHD (p < 0.001) and patients' satisfaction (p = 0.005). Descriptions of CHD and impact on lifestyle were more eloquent after seeing a 3D model. The majority of participants reported that models helped their understanding and improved their visit, with a non-negligible 30% of participants indicating that the model made them feel more anxious about their condition. Content analysis of open-ended feedback revealed an overall positive attitude of the participants toward 3D models. Clinical translation of 3D models of CHD for communication purposes warrants further exploration in larger studies

A Systematic Evaluation of Transient Execution Attacks and Defenses

Research on transient execution attacks including Spectre and Meltdown showed that exception or branch misprediction events might leave secret-dependent traces in the CPU's microarchitectural state. This observation led to a proliferation of new Spectre and Meltdown attack variants and even more ad-hoc defenses (e.g., microcode and software patches). Both the industry and academia are now focusing on finding effective defenses for known issues. However, we only have limited insight on residual attack surface and the completeness of the proposed defenses. In this paper, we present a systematization of transient execution attacks. Our systematization uncovers 6 (new) transient execution attacks that have been overlooked and not been investigated so far: 2 new exploitable Meltdown effects: Meltdown-PK (Protection Key Bypass) on Intel, and Meltdown-BND (Bounds Check Bypass) on Intel and AMD; and 4 new Spectre mistraining strategies. We evaluate the attacks in our classification tree through proof-of-concept implementations on 3 major CPU vendors (Intel, AMD, ARM). Our systematization yields a more complete picture of the attack surface and allows for a more systematic evaluation of defenses. Through this systematic evaluation, we discover that most defenses, including deployed ones, cannot fully mitigate all attack variants