L'Osservatorio Geofisico di Lipari ed i 40 anni della Rete Sismica Permanente del Tirreno Meridionale

In 1966, the Istituto Internazionale di Vulcanologia (I.I.V.), gave the go ahead to the ambitious project of setting up a seismic network in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, an area of extraordinary geophysical interest, which until then was not covered by seismic monitoring. At the time, there were single seismic stations on the rest of the italian peninsula. These were inside universities, public and private bodies and at the numerous observatories of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica (founded in 1936 by Antonino Lo Surdo and becoming independent of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (C.N.R,. in 1945) and still used mechanical seismographs, with masses weighing from 80 up to 1300 Kg. On the Aeolian Islands instead, electromagnetic seismometers were employed from the start. The experimental network, planned in the Willmore laboratories at Edinburgh and tested in the Aeolian Islands over a two-year period, represented the starting point for the Permanent Seismic Network (PSN) of the Southern Tyrrhenian. After the experience of the Laboratorio Internazionale per le Ricerche Vulcanologiche (L.I.R.V. - C.N.R.), of the Istituto di Vulcanologia of the University of Catania, the independent I.I.V. - C.N.R., together with the observatory, was launched in 1969. In the course of the seventies, every island of the Aeolian archipelago, was equipped with at least a seismic station and the 3 sensor systems (triaxial systems) began to become widely used. In the eighties, the “Sismologia Eolie” project was started, aimed at a further develop and update the seismic net. With the wide use of magnetic tape recording, the instrumental data stored could be more readily transported on suitable drums to the main centre in Catania for analysis. Here, Research Units were established in order to prepare the way for enhanced interaction between technical staff and research groups. The instrumental geophysical investigations, progressively extended and in a permanente form to Eastern Sicily and particular around Etna. From the nineties, operations room in Catania was fully active, working 24/24, and ensuring the seismic and volcanic surveillance of Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. The Geophysical Observatory of Lipari and the main centre of the Institute in Catania, were merged in 2001 into the new Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) and the network of the Aeolian Islands became an integral part of the Permanent Seismic Network (PSN) of Eastern Sicily and Southern Calabria. Special prominence will be given in the course of this historical reconstruction to the evolution of instrumental seismology, thanks to forty years of continuous input, indispensable for the understanding of the seismogenetic processes in the area, this still represents the chief undertaking of the geophysical observatory on Lipari, whose important scientific but also social role must be acknowledged in the growing interaction between research and civil protection

Numerical fluid dynamics simulation for drones’ chemical detection

The risk associated with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNe) threats in the last two decades has grown as a result of easier access to hazardous materials and agents, potentially increasing the chance for dangerous events. Consequently, early detection of a threat following a CBRNe event is a mandatory requirement for the safety and security of human operators involved in the management of the emergency. Drones are nowadays one of the most advanced and versatile tools available, and they have proven to be successfully used in many different application fields. The use of drones equipped with inexpensive and selective detectors could be both a solution to improve the early detection of threats and, at the same time, a solution for human operators to prevent dangerous situations. To maximize the drone’s capability of detecting dangerous volatile substances, fluid dynamics numerical simulations may be used to understand the optimal configuration of the detectors positioned on the drone. This study serves as a first step to investigate how the fluid dynamics of the drone propeller flow and the different sensors position on-board could affect the conditioning and acquisition of data. The first consequence of this approach may lead to optimizing the position of the detectors on the drone based not only on the specific technology of the sensor, but also on the type of chemical agent dispersed in the environment, eventually allowing to define a technological solution to enhance the detection process and ensure the safety and security of first responders

Enhancing Radiation Detection by Drones through Numerical Fluid Dynamics Simulations

This study addresses the optimization of the location of a radioactive-particle sensor on a drone. Based on the analysis of the physical process and of the boundary conditions introduced in the model, computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to analyze how the turbulence caused by drone propellers may influence the response of the sensors. Our initial focus was the detection of a small amount of radioactivity, such as that associated with a release of medical waste. Drones equipped with selective low-cost sensors could be quickly sent to dangerous areas that first responders might not have access to and be able to assess the level of danger in a few seconds, providing details about the source terms to Radiological-Nuclear (RN) advisors and decision-makers. Our ultimate application is the simulation of complex scenarios where fluid-dynamic instabilities are combined with elevated levels of radioactivity, as was the case during the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents. In similar circumstances, accurate mapping of the radioactive plume would provide invaluable input-data for the mathematical models that can predict the dispersion of radioactivity in time and space. This information could be used as input for predictive models and decision support systems (DSS) to get a full situational awareness. In particular, these models may be used either to guide the safe intervention of first responders or the later need to evacuate affected regions

Enhancing radiation detection by drones through numerical fluid dynamics simulations

This study addresses the optimization of the location of a radioactive-particle sensor on a drone. Based on the analysis of the physical process and of the boundary conditions introduced in the model, computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to analyze how the turbulence caused by drone propellers may influence the response of the sensors. Our initial focus was the detection of a small amount of radioactivity, such as that associated with a release of medical waste. Drones equipped with selective low-cost sensors could be quickly sent to dangerous areas that first responders might not have access to and be able to assess the level of danger in a few seconds, providing details about the source terms to Radiological-Nuclear (RN) advisors and decision-makers. Our ultimate application is the simulation of complex scenarios where fluid-dynamic instabilities are combined with elevated levels of radioactivity, as was the case during the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents. In similar circumstances, accurate mapping of the radioactive plume would provide invaluable input-data for the mathematical models that can predict the dispersion of radioactivity in time and space. This information could be used as input for predictive models and decision support systems (DSS) to get a full situational awareness. In particular, these models may be used either to guide the safe intervention of first responders or the later need to evacuate affected regions

Laparoscopic High Uterosacral Ligament Suspension vs. Laparoscopic Sacral Colpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy is the gold standard technique for apical prolapse correction but it is a technically challenging procedure with rare but severe morbidity. Laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension could be a valid technically easier alternative using native tissue. Material and Methods: In the period from 2015 to 2018, 600 women were submitted to laparoscopic sacral colpopexy while 150 to laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension in three Italian urogynecology referral centers. We enrolled women with apical prolapse stage ≥2 alone or multicompartment descensus. To reduce allocation bias, we performed a propensity matched analysis. Women undergoing laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension surgery were matched 1:2 to women undergoing laparoscopic sacral colpopexy. The cumulative proportion of relapse-free women in time was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method. The primary objective of this multicenter case-control retrospective study was to compare the recurrence rate while the secondary objectives were to compare feasibility, safety, and efficacy of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy and laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension in surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Results: Three hundred and nine women were enrolled (103 laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension; 206 laparoscopic sacral colpopexy). Median operatory time was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension group (P = 0.0001). No statistically significative difference was found in terms of estimated blood loss, admission time, intraoperative, and major early postoperative complications, postoperative pelvic pain, dyspareunia and de novo stress urinary incontinence. Surgical approach was the only independent risk factor for prolapse recurrence (RR = 6.013 [2.965–12.193], P = 0.0001). The objective cure rate was higher in the laparoscopic sacral colpopexy group (93.7 vs. 68%, 193/206 vs. 70/103, P = 0.0001) with a highly reduced risk of recurrence (RR = 5.430 [1.660–17.765]). Median follow up was 22 months. Conclusion: Both techniques are safe, feasible, and effective. Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy remains the best choice in treatment of multicompartment and advanced pelvic organ prolapse while laparoscopic high uterosacral ligament suspension could be appropriate for moderate and isolated apical prolapse when laparoscopic sacral colpopexy is not suitable for the patient or to prevent prolapse in women at high risk at the time of the hysterectomy

Ongoing Peritoneal Dialysis Training at Home Allows for the Improvement of Patients’ Empowerment: A Single Center Experience

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD), as a home treatment, ensures better patient autonomy and lower intrusiveness compared to hemodialysis. However, choosing PD comes with an increased burden of responsibility that the patient may not always be able to bear, due to advanced age and deteriorating health condition. Various approaches have been explored to address this issue and mitigate its primary complications. In this study, we aim to present the ongoing PD training at-home program implemented by the Vicenza PD Center, and evaluate its impact on patients' prognoses. Material and Methods: We enrolled 210 patients who underwent PD at Vicenza Hospital between 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2022 for a minimum of 90 days. Each patient was observed retrospectively for one year. We categorized the patients into three groups based on their level of autonomy regarding their PD management: completely independent patients; patients able to perform some parts of the PD method on their own, while the remaining aspects were carried out by a caregiver; and patients who required complete assistance from a caregiver, like in the assisted PD program (asPD). Results: A total of 70% of the PD population were autonomous regarding their PD therapy, 14% had an intermediate degree of autonomy, and 16% were entirely dependent on caregivers. The PD nurses performed a median of four home visits per patient per year, with a tendency to make more visits to patients with a lower degree of autonomy. All the groups achieved similar clinical outcomes. At the end of the year of observation, only 6% of the patients witnessed a decline in their autonomy level, whereas 7% demonstrated an enhancement in their level of autonomy, and 87% remained stable. Conclusions: A home care assistance program ensures clinical support to a household with the purpose of improving the empowerment of the PD population and reducing the prevalence of assisted PD. Ongoing PD training at home helps patients to maintain a stable degree of autonomy and stay in their home setting, even though they present with relative attitudinal or social barriers

Advanced CT imaging features reflect distinct tissue immune profiles and exhibit high prognostic impact on NSCLC

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First-line treatment and outcome of elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)—a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

Evidence for prognosis and treatment of elderly patient with primary central nervous system is limited. High-dose methotrexate should be applied whenever possible, especially combination with oral alkylating agents is a promising approach. Further combinations with other intravenous drugs do not seem to improve outcome. More prospective trials designed for elderly PCNSL patients are warrante