Scan to BIM for 3D reconstruction of the papal basilica of saint Francis in Assisi In Italy

The historical building heritage, present in the most of Italian cities centres, is, as part of the construction sector, a working potential, but unfortunately it requires planning of more complex and problematic interventions. However, policies to support on the existing interventions, together with a growing sensitivity for the recovery of assets, determine the need to implement specific studies and to analyse the specific problems of each site. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the methodology and the results obtained from integrated laser scanning activity in order to have precious architectural information useful not only from the cultural heritage point of view but also to construct more operative and powerful tools, such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) aimed to the management of this cultural heritage. The Papal Basilica and the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi in Italy are, in fact, characterized by unique and complex peculiarities, which require a detailed knowledge of the sites themselves to ensure visitor’s security and safety. For such a project, we have to take in account all the people and personnel normally present in the site, visitors with disabilities and finally the needs for cultural heritage preservation and protection. This aim can be reached using integrated systems and new technologies, such as Internet of Everything (IoE), capable of connecting people, things (smart sensors, devices and actuators; mobile terminals; wearable devices; etc.), data/information/knowledge and processes to reach the desired goals. The IoE system must implement and support an Integrated Multidisciplinary Model for Security and Safety Management (IMMSSM) for the specific context, using a multidisciplinary approach

Bell inequalities from variable elimination methods

Tight Bell inequalities are facets of Pitowsky's correlation polytope and are usually obtained from its extreme points by solving the hull problem. Here we present an alternative method based on a combination of algebraic results on extensions of measures and variable elimination methods, e.g., the Fourier-Motzkin method. Our method is shown to overcome some of the computational difficulties associated with the hull problem in some non-trivial cases. Moreover, it provides an explanation for the arising of only a finite number of families of Bell inequalities in measurement scenarios where one experimenter can choose between an arbitrary number of different measurements

Low Velocity Granular Drag in Reduced Gravity

We probe the dependence of the low velocity drag force in granular materials on the effective gravitational acceleration (geff) through studies of spherical granular materials saturated within fluids of varying density. We vary geff by a factor of 20, and we find that the granular drag is proportional to geff, i.e., that the granular drag follows the expected relation Fprobe = {\eta} {\rho}grain geff dprobe hprobe^2 for the drag force, Fprobe on a vertical cylinder with depth of insertion, hprobe, diameter dprobe, moving through grains of density {\rho}grain, and where {\eta} is a dimensionless constant. This dimensionless constant shows no systematic variation over four orders of magnitude in effective grain weight, demonstrating that the relation holds over that entire range to within the precision of our data

The DAG1 transcription factor negatively regulates the seed-to-seedling transition in Arabidopsis acting on ABA and GA levels

BACKGROUND: In seeds, the transition from dormancy to germination is regulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs), and involves chromatin remodelling. Particularly, the repressive mark H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) has been shown to target many master regulators of this transition. DAG1 (DOF AFFECTING GERMINATION1), is a negative regulator of seed germination in Arabidopsis, and directly represses the GA biosynthetic gene GA3ox1 (gibberellin 3-β-dioxygenase 1). We set to investigate the role of DAG1 in seed dormancy and maturation with respect to epigenetic and hormonal control. RESULTS: We show that DAG1 expression is controlled at the epigenetic level through the H3K27me3 mark during the seed-to-seedling transition, and that DAG1 directly represses also the ABA catabolic gene CYP707A2; consistently, the ABA level is lower while the GA level is higher in dag1 mutant seeds. Furthermore, both DAG1 expression and protein stability are controlled by GAs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to DAG1 as a key player in the control of the developmental switch between seed dormancy and germination

The COP9 SIGNALOSOME is required for postembryonic meristem maintenance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cullin-RING E3 ligases (CRLs) regulate different aspects of plant development, and are activated by modification of their cullin subunit with the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 (NEural precursor cell expressed Developmentally Down-regulated 8) (neddylation) and deactivated by NEDD8 removal (deneddylation). The CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN) acts as a molecular switch of CRLs activity by reverting their neddylation status, but its contribution to embryonic and early seedling development remains poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed the phenotypic defects of csn mutants and monitored the cullin deneddylation/neddylation ratio during embryonic and early seedling development. We show that while csn mutants can complete embryogenesis (albeit at a slower pace than wild type) and are able to germinate (albeit at a reduced rate), they progressively loose meristem activity upon germination, until they become unable to sustain growth. We also show that the majority of cullin proteins is progressively neddylated during the late stages of seed maturation and becomes deneddylated upon seed germination. This developmentally regulated shift in the cullin neddylation status is absent in csn mutants. We conclude that the CSN and its cullin deneddylation activity are required to sustain postembryonic meristem function in Arabidopsis

Education and training among Italian postgraduate medical schools in public health: a comparative analysis

Analisi comparativa dei percorsi formativi offerti dalle Scuole di specializzazione di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva in Italia Background: Il percorso formativo dello specialista in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva dovrebbe garantire adeguate conoscenze tecnico-scientifiche e professionali nei campi della medicina preventiva, della promozione della salute e della programmazione dei servizi sanitari secondo quanto indicato anche dal DM 285/2005. La Consulta degli Specializzandi, da sempre coinvolta in attività di monitoraggio della formazione a livello nazionale, si prefigge l’obiettivo di valutare l’omogeneità delle proposte formative tra le diverse sedi italiane, non solo per segnalare le criticità, ma anche per evidenziarne le opportunità. Metodi: Lo studio, di tipo cross-sectional, è stato condotto mediante la somministrazione di un questionario semi-strutturato inviato per la compilazione ai rappresentanti delle 32 le Scuole di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva italiane. Lo strumento di valutazione è costituito da quattro sezioni: informazioni generali, attività formativa universitaria, attività formativa extra-universitaria, attività formativa intersettoriale. L’indagine è stata svolta nel periodo tra marzo e maggio 2013 ed è stata prodotta un’analisi descrittiva dei dati ottenuti. Risultati: Il questionario è stato compilato da 28 Scuole su 32 (tasso di risposta 88%), distribuite su tutto il territorio nazionale. Il numero di medici in formazione varia tra 7 e 31 e il rapporto tra docenti del settore scientifico-disciplinare di interesse e i discenti è compreso tra 0,2 e 2. Per quanto riguarda la didattica, solo in 4 Scuole si effettuano tutti i corsi previsti dal DM. La maggior parte delle sedi svolge almeno il 75% dei corsi previsti, ma esistono sedi in cui il numero di corsi è inferiore al 50%. La maggior parte delle Scuole svolge più del 60% delle attività professionalizzanti essenziali secondo il decreto, ma 2 Scuole non arrivano al 50%. Tutte le Scuole prevedono un tirocinio di 6-12 mesi in ASL, affiancando principalmente attività del Dipartimento di Prevenzione. Ovunque è previsto un periodo in Direzione Medica Ospedaliera, mentre le Strutture Riabilitative rientrano raramente nella rete formativa. Nella maggioranza delle Scuole è possibile frequentare aziende con rischio biologico oppure seguire simili attività nei Servizi dedicati della ASL. Molte Scuole, infine, consentono di frequentare diverse strutture territoriali (Agenzia di Controllo delle Acque), regionali (Assessorati) o nazionali (Ministero, Istituto Superiore di Sanità); in alcuni casi si tratta di Università gemellate e Istituti di Ricerca. Conclusioni: Nonostante il DM 285/2005 indichi quali siano le fondamenta della sanità pubblica, la flessibilità nella scelta formativa è vista come requisito essenziale per ottimizzare le risorse e contestualizzare l’adeguata formazione del medico in formazione specialistica in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva. La maggior parte delle Scuole di Specializzazione italiane dovrebbe però prevedere lo svolgimento della quasi totalità delle attività formative previste, al fine di non creare disuguaglianze formative tra gli specializzandi. Infine, considerato che la sanità pubblica è una disciplina in continuo divenire, il DM del 2005 andrebbe rivisitato tenendo in considerazione la flessibilità della formazione ed i continui cambiamenti dei bisogni di salute essenziali della popolazione. Inoltre, nel processo di rivisitazione dei bisogni formativi dei medici in formazione specialistica, dovrebbero essere coinvolti anche i discenti al fine di rafforzare il potere e l’efficacia dell’insegnamento.Background The postgraduate medical Schools in Public Health (locally known as School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine) should ensure adequate scientific and technical knowledge and professional skills in preventive medicine, health promotion and healthcare planning as provided by Ministerial Decree 285/2005. The Italian Committee of Medical Residents in Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Public Health and Preventive Medicine - S.It.I. (Consulta Nazionale dei medici in formazione specialistica S.It.I.) has always been engaged in monitoring activities on public health teaching, guaranteeing the homogeneity of educational proposals among all national Schools in Public Health. The purpose of this study is to provide a 'snapshot' of public health education and training in Italy and to identify the improvement actions needed for implementing an innovative and homogeneous public health training. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of three months (March to May 2013). A self-administered questionnaire was e-mailed to local Committee’s delegates of all 32 postgraduate medical Schools in Public Health in Italy. The questionnaire was structured in four sections: general information, University education and training, extra-University training, interdisciplinary activities. The majority of local Committee’s delegates have agreed to be enrolled in the survey. Results: A total of 28 questionnaires were returned (88% response rate). The number of residents in each Italian School in Public Health ranged from 7 to 31. The distribution of professors in relation to residents is not similar for each University Schools. The ratio professors/residents spanning from 0.2 to 2. About teaching, only 4 University Schools offered all courses requested by Ministerial Decree 285/2005. Most of them offered at least 75% of the requested courses, but there were Schools in which the courses were less than 50%. The vast majority of schools held more than 60% of the qualifying activities considered essential according to the Decree, while 2 Schools were below 50%. All Schools required an internship of 6-12 months in local health authority offices (ASL), mainly concerning the Department of Prevention activities. In all Schools a period of stay in a Hospital Medical Direction was scheduled, while professional activities at Residential care homes were very rarely included in training programmes. Many Schools allowed residents to attend companies with biological hazard or to follow similar activities in dedicated services of ASL. Finally, in the majority of Schools, a training period in various local (Service for Water Control), regional (Departments) or national (Ministry, National Institute of Health) health facilities was contemplated and, in some cases, also in other Universities or Research Institutes. Conclusions: Although the Ministerial Decree indicates the essential milestones of the public health education, flexibility is seen as an important element in order to optimize resources and contextualize the adequate education of residents. In any case, at least regarding public health courses, the majority of University education and extra-University training activities should be carried out by all Schools. In order to obtain shared knowledge and skills, the Ministerial Decree should be revised taking into account flexibility and changing as intrinsic characteristics of public health profession and learners should be involved in the reform to strengthening the role of public health teachin

Realization of logically labeled effective pure states for bulk quantum computation

We report the first use of "logical labeling" to perform a quantum computation with a room-temperature bulk system. This method entails the selection of a subsystem which behaves as if it were at zero temperature - except for a decrease in signal strength - conditioned upon the state of the remaining system. No averaging over differently prepared molecules is required. In order to test this concept, we execute a quantum search algorithm in a subspace of two nuclear spins, labeled by a third spin, using solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and employing a novel choice of reference frame to uncouple nuclei.Comment: PRL 83, 3085 (1999). Small changes made to improve readability and remove ambiguitie

Canal switch and re-entry phenomenon in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: difference between immediate and delayed occurrence

Studio prospettico ideato per la valutazione delle differenze tra la conversione canalare o il rientro degli otoliti nei canali semicircolari successivo alle manovre terapeutiche nei pazienti affetti da VPPB. Sono stati valutati 196 pazienti affetti da VPPB, 127 dei quali corrispondevano ai criteri di inclusione. L’età media dei pazienti era di 54.74 anni. Il canale orizzontale è stato coinvolto in 30 casi e il canale posteriore in 97 pazienti. I pazienti con sordità neurosensoriale presentavano forme ricorrenti di VPPB, rispetto a quelli con udito normale. L’immediato rientro canalare è stato diagnosticato in 3 pazienti con VPPB del canale laterale, tutti con nistagmo geotropo. 7 pazienti con VPPB del canale posteriore hanno presentato un rientro canalare immediato e 5 la forma ritardata. I pazienti con rientro canalare ritardato avevano precedentemente subito più di 2 manovre di riposizionamento. Il rientro canalare non è risultato connesso al tipo di manovra eseguita. Il tempo di attesa tra l’esecuzione della manovra liberatoria e il test di verifica si è rivelato importante ai fini del rientro canalare immediato. La recidiva della BPPV dopo un mese dalle manovre liberatorie si è riscontrata in 20 pazienti ed è stata più frequente in quei pazienti che hanno avuto un fenomeno di rientro canalare. La conversione canalare ed il fenomeno del rientro canalare rappresentano delle entità cliniche che devono essere considerate dal medico che tratta le VPPB. Appare importante distinguere un rientro da un fallimento della manovra in caso di forme immediate, o da una recidiva di patologia in caso di forme ritardate. L’esecuzione del test di verifica del successo terapeutico dopo manovre di riposizionamento deve avere un distacco temporale sufficientemente ampio al fine di evitare il reflusso immediato di otoliti nei canali.This prospective study was designed to evaluate the differences between immediate and delayed canal re-entry of otoliths after therapeutic manoeuvres in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). A total of 196 patients with BPPV were visited and 127 matched our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 54.74 years. The horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) was involved in 30 cases and the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) in 97 patients. Patients with hearing loss in the ear affected by BPPV have a more recurrent form, compared to those with normal hearing. An immediate canal re-entry was recorded in 3 patients with HSC BPPV, all with geotropic nystagmus. In 7 patients with PSC BPPV, the immediate canal re-entry was detected and the delayed form was noted in 5 patients. The patients with the delayed canal re-entry underwent more than 2 previous manoeuvres. The canal re-entry was not related to the manoeuvre performed. The timing of the Dix-Hallpike test to verify the resolution of the BPPV had a significant role in immediate canal re-entry. A recurrence in the follow-up at least one month after treatment was recorded in 20 patients and was more frequent in patients that had canal re-entry. The canal re-entry or canal switch is a clinical entity that should be kept in mind of the neurotologist when approaching BPPV patients. It is important to distinguish it from recurrence when delayed and from manoeuvre failure when immediate. The timing of manoeuvre performing, in particular the final verification test after therapeutic sessions, is important to prevent the immediate reflux of particles into canals

A Newly Developed Tri-Leaflet Polymeric Heart Valve Prosthesis.

The potential of polymeric heart valves (PHV) prostheses is to combine the hemodynamic performances of biological valves with the durability of mechanical valves. The aim of this work is to design and develop a new tri-leaflet prosthetic heart valve (HV) made from styrenic block copolymers. A computational finite element model was implemented to optimize the thickness of the leaflets, to improve PHV mechanical and hydrodynamic performances. Based on the model outcomes, 8 prototypes of the designed valve were produced and tested in vitro under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions, as prescribed by ISO 5840 Standard. A specially designed pulse duplicator allowed testing the PHVs at different flow rates and frequency conditions. All the PHVs met the requirements specified in ISO 5840 Standard in terms of both regurgitation and effective orifice area (EOA), demonstrating their potential as HV prostheses.This work was funded by the British Heart Foundation (New Horizons NH/11/4/29059).This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0219519415400096?src=recsys

Premenopausal endogenous oestrogen levels and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many of the established risk factors for breast cancer implicate circulating hormone levels in the aetiology of the disease. Increased levels of postmenopausal endogenous oestradiol (E2) have been found to increase the risk of breast cancer, but no such association has been confirmed in premenopausal women. We carried out a meta-analysis to summarise the available evidence in women before the menopause. METHODS: We identified seven prospective studies of premenopausal endogenous E2 and breast cancer risk, including 693 breast cancer cases. From each study we extracted odds ratios of breast cancer between quantiles of endogenous E2, or for unit or s.d. increases in (log transformed) E2, or (where odds ratios were unavailable) summary statistics for the distributions of E2 in breast cancer cases and unaffected controls. Estimates for a doubling of endogenous E2 were obtained from these extracted estimates, and random-effect meta-analysis was used to obtain a pooled estimate across the studies. RESULTS: Overall, we found weak evidence of a positive association between circulating E2 levels and the risk of breast cancer, with a doubling of E2 associated with an odds ratio of 1.10 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.27). CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis of a positive association between premenopausal endogenous E2 and breast cancer risk