Association between structural connectivity and generalized cognitive spectrum in alzheimer’s disease

Modeling disease progression through the cognitive scores has become an attractive challenge in the field of computational neuroscience due to its importance for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Several scores such as Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale cognitive total score, Mini Mental State Exam score and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test provide a quantitative assessment of the cognitive conditions of the patients and are commonly used as objective criteria for clinical diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). On the other hand, connectivity patterns extracted from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have been successfully used to classify AD and MCI subjects with machine learning algorithms proving their potential application in the clinical setting. In this work, we carried out a pilot study to investigate the strength of association between DTI structural connectivity of a mixed ADNI cohort and cognitive spectrum in AD. We developed a machine learning framework to find a generalized cognitive score that summarizes the different functional domains reflected by each cognitive clinical index and to identify the connectivity biomarkers more significantly associated with the score. The results indicate that the efficiency and the centrality of some regions can effectively track cognitive impairment in AD showing a significant correlation with the generalized cognitive score (R = 0.7)

Psychological counseling in the Italian academic context: Expected needs, activities, and target population in a large sample of students

University psychological counseling (UPC) is receiving growing attention as a means to promote mental health and academic success among young adults and prevent irregular attendance and dropout. However, thus far, little effort has been directed towards the implementation of services attuned to students' expectations and needs. This work intends to contribute to the existing literature on this topic, by exploring the perceptions of UPC among a population of 39,277 students attending one of the largest universities in the South of Italy. Almost half of the total population correctly identified the UPC target population as university students, and about one third correctly expected personal distress to be the main need that UPC should target. However, a large percentage did not have a clear idea about UPC target needs, activities, and population. When two specific student subsamples were analyzed using a person-centered analysis, namely (i) those who expressed their intention to use the counseling service but had not yet done so and (ii) those who had already used it, the first subsample clustered into two groups, characterized by an "emotional" and a "psychopathological" focus, respectively, while the second subsample clustered into three groups with a "clinical", "socioemotional", and "learning" focus, respectively. This result shows a somewhat more "superficial" and "common" representation of UPC in the first subsample and a more "articulated" and "flexible" vision in the second subsample. Taken together, these findings suggest that UPC services could adopt "student-centered" strategies to both identify and reach wider audiences and specific student subgroups. Recommended strategies include robust communication campaigns to help students develop a differentiated perception of the available and diverse academic services, and the involvement of active students to remove the barriers of embarrassment and shame often linked to the stigma of using mental health services

Analisi di fitotossicità e impiego di sansa umida denocciolata in una rotazione farro-cece in regime di agricoltura biologica

Pratiche di agricoltura intensiva hanno condotto alla degradazione della risorsa suolo, vale a dire ne hanno diminuito la qualità. Più precisamente, la degradazione riguarda la riduzione della sostanza organica, della stabilità strutturale e della disponibilità di nutrienti nel suolo, con conseguente decremento della produttività. All’interno di un progetto di ricerca in corso, relativo a produzione e impiego di compost in agricoltura biologica, sono previste analisi di fitotossicità su sansa umida denocciolata (SD) poi impiegata in una rotazione farro-cece. L’obiettivo della ricerca è quello di verificare come l’incorporazione al suolo di matrici organiche (M), anche tal quali, può concorrere a mantenere o incrementare la fertilità del suolo ed a sostenere i livelli produttivi delle colture. Nelle analisi di fitotossicità su SD, effettuate con specie test Lepidium sativum L., sono state saggiate oltre alle consuete concentrazioni dell’estratto (50% e 75%), indicate nelle metodiche ufficiali, anche una diluizione maggiore pari al 25% e SD tal quale (100%) centrifugata e filtrata. In una rotazione biennale cece da granella - farro, effettuata a Foggia (campo sperimentale del CRA-SCA) nell’annata agraria 2007-2008, sono stati posti a confronto per ciascuna coltura i seguenti trattamenti: SD tal quale; fertilizzante organo-minerale (OM) ammesso in biologico; controllo non fertilizzato (C). I risultati dei saggi di fitotossicità indicano che la M in esame è risultata fitotossica essendo stato riscontrato un indice di germinazione (Ig) del 44,4%. Dall’esame degli indici calcolati per ciascuna diluizione, inoltre, si è evidenziato come al diminuire della stessa (25%>50%>75%>100%) aumenta l’inibizione all’emergenza e alla crescita radicale (Ig: 66,2%>55,2%>46,9%>9,2%), fino al valore minimo di Ig riscontrato per SD tal quale. Infine, è emerso che la tossicità si esercita a livello di percorsi metabolici diversi, con una netta prevalenza degli effetti sulla lunghezza radicale piuttosto che sul numero di semi germinati. I risultati ottenuti nella prova agronomica hanno evidenziato per il cece una maggiore produzione di granella con OM (2,5 t ha-1) rispetto al trattamento SD (2,1 t ha-1), mentre i valori rilevati per i residui sono paragonabili tra le tre tesi. Le produzioni di granella ottenute per il farro risultano confrontabili, mentre la produzione di paglia è stata maggiore con OM (3,4 e 2,9 t ha-1 rispettivamente per OM e per SD). Da questa attività di ricerca è emerso che SD è una matrice particolare relativamente agli effetti sulle colture, che dovrebbe essere stabilizzata e maturare grazie ad attività di biodegradazione (e quindi compostata in miscela con altre matrici) per poter influenzare positivamente la fertilità del suolo e la produttività delle colture

MRI analysis for Hippocampus segmentation on a distributed infrastructure

Medical image computing raises new challenges due to the scale and the complexity of the required analyses. Medical image databases are currently available to supply clinical diagnosis. For instance, it is possible to provide diagnostic information based on an imaging biomarker comparing a single case to the reference group (controls or patients with disease). At the same time many sophisticated and computationally intensive algorithms have been implemented to extract useful information from medical images. Many applications would take great advantage by using scientific workflow technology due to its design, rapid implementation and reuse. However this technology requires a distributed computing infrastructure (such as Grid or Cloud) to be executed efficiently. One of the most used workflow manager for medical image processing is the LONI pipeline (LP), a graphical workbench developed by the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (http://pipeline.loni.usc.edu). In this article we present a general approach to submit and monitor workflows on distributed infrastructures using LONI Pipeline, including European Grid Infrastructure (EGI) and Torque-based batch farm. In this paper we implemented a complete segmentation pipeline in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It requires time-consuming and data-intensive processing and for which reducing the computing time is crucial to meet clinical practice constraints. The developed approach is based on web services and can be used for any medical imaging application

Innovazioni di processo per la produzione di compost di qualità idonei alla conservazione del suolo e alla sostenibilità in agricoltura biologica

La tutela della risorsa suolo è tra gli aspetti fondamentali del metodo di produzione biologico. L’applicazione di compost di qualità coniuga la necessità del recupero di materia da scarti organici con l’esigenza di reintegrare il contenuto di sostanza organica dei suoli. Tali premesse sono la base di una ricerca finalizzata alla produzione di compost tramite un sistema innovativo, alla caratterizzazione del prodotto finito e alla realizzazione di prove sperimentali in ambiente confinato e in pieno campo, idonee ad individuare un codice di buona pratica agricola per l’utilizzo del compost in agricoltura biologica. Il protocollo sperimentale ha previsto la produzione di 4 tipi di compost (C1, C2, C3, C4) ottenuti da una miscela di partenza contenente: sansa umida denocciolata (sn), stallatico (st) e residui ligneocellulosici triturati (lc). I compost C1 (C/N=30) e C3 (C/N=45) sono stati ottenuti dalla miscelazione di sn :st: lc nel rapporto 7:1:5 (p/p) e 1:5:5 (p/p). C2 e C4 derivano rispettivamente da C1 e C3 per essiccazione all’aria in strato sottile alla fine della fase di biossidazione accelerata (BA). L’essiccazione è stata effettuata al fine di rallentare le attività microbiche ed i processi di evoluzione della sostanza organica ottenendo matrici a due stadi di maturazione. I parametri di processo monitorati sono stati: umidità, temperatura, pH, e solidi volatili. Ad inizio processo (T0), alla fine della fase di BA (T1) e alla fine della fase di curing (T2), sono stati prelevati campioni rappresentativi dai cumuli per la misurazione dell’indice respirometrico dinamico (IRD). I 4 compost, prodotti presso l’impianto di compostaggio sperimentale IAMB, sono stati applicati su una rotazione biennale farro - cece da granella e su una coltivazione di spinacio, entrambi condotti con metodo di produzione biologico. La fase di BA, della durata di 35 gg per C1 e C2 e 18 gg per C3 e C4, è stata condotta in cassone areato non movimentato. La fase di curing (86 gg per C1 e 65 gg per C3) è stata condotta in cumulo statico. L’umidità è stata controllata settimanalmente e corretta al fine di garantire valori di processo tra 50 e 60%, la temperatura massima raggiunta è stata di 72 °C per C1 e 76 °C per C3. L’IRD, partendo da valori compatibili con i dati di letteratura nella miscela iniziale (T0: 4.171 mgO2 gSV-1 h-1 per C1 e C2; 5.955 mgO2 gSV-1 h-1 per C3 e C4), ha raggiunto livelli di piena stabilità per tutti i materiali già alla fine della fase di BA (T1: 424 mgO2 gSV-1 h-1 per C1e C2 e 789 mgO2 gSV-1 h-1 per C3 e C4). I diversi rapporti C/N e i contributi della matrice sn nelle due miscelazioni hanno comportato differenze nei tempi di processo e negli andamenti dei picchi di temperatura giornalieri, risultando più brevi per C3-C4 rispetto a C1-C2. In attesa dei risultati finali relativi all’applicazione in pieno campo, si ipotizza che il prolungarsi del processo in C1-C3 rispetto a C2-C4 comporterà una diversa disponibilità di elementi nutritivi nelle relative tesi sperimentali per effetto del procedere dei processi di biossidazione ed evoluzione della sostanza organica

Physicians’ misperceived cardiovascular risk and therapeutic inertia as determinants of low LDL-cholesterol targets achievement in diabetes

Background: Greater efforts are needed to overcome the worldwide reported low achievement of LDL-c targets. This survey aimed to dissect whether and how the physician-based evaluation of patients with diabetes is associated with the achievement of LDL-c targets. Methods: This cross-sectional self-reported survey interviewed physicians working in 67 outpatient services in Italy, collecting records on 2844 patients with diabetes. Each physician reported a median of 47 records (IQR 42–49) and, for each of them, the physician specified its perceived cardiovascular risk, LDL-c targets, and the suggested refinement in lipid-lowering-treatment (LLT). These physician-based evaluations were then compared to recommendations from EAS/EASD guidelines. Results: Collected records were mostly from patients with type 2 diabetes (94%), at very-high (72%) or high-cardiovascular risk (27%). Physician-based assessments of cardiovascular risk and of LDL-c targets, as compared to guidelines recommendation, were misclassified in 34.7% of the records. The misperceived assessment was significantly higher among females and those on primary prevention and was associated with 67% lower odds of achieving guidelines-recommended LDL-c targets (OR 0.33, p < 0.0001). Peripheral artery disease, target organ damage and LLT-initiated by primary-care-physicians were all factors associated with therapeutic-inertia (i.e., lower than expected probability of receiving high-intensity LLT). Physician-suggested LLT refinement was inadequate in 24% of overall records and increased to 38% among subjects on primary prevention and with misclassified cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: This survey highlights the need to improve the physicians’ misperceived cardiovascular risk and therapeutic inertia in patients with diabetes to successfully implement guidelines recommendations into everyday clinical practice

Composition, potential emissions and agricultural value of pig slurry from Spanish commercial farms

[EN] Pig slurry is a valuable fertilizer for crop production but at the same time its management may pose environmental risks. Slurry samples were collected from 77 commercial farms of four animal categories (gestating and lactating sows, nursery piglets and growing pigs) and analyzed for macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals and volatile fatty acids. Emissions of ammonia (NH3) and biochemical methane potential (BMP) were quantified. Slurry electrical conductivity, pH, dry matter content and ash content were also determined. Data analysis included an analysis of correlations among variables, the development of predictionmodels for gaseousemissions and the analysis of nutritional content of slurries for crop production. Descriptive information is provided in this work and shows a wide range of variability in all studied variables. Animal category affected some physicochemical parameters, probably as a consequence of different slurry management and use of cleaning water. Slurries from gestating sows and growing pigs tended to be more concentrated in nutrients, whereas the slurry from lactating sows and nursery piglets tended to be more diluted. Relevant relationships were found among slurry characteristics expressed in fresh basis and gas emissions. Predictivemodels using on-farmmeasurable parameterswere obtained forNH3 (R2 = 0.51) andCH4 (R2 = 0.76), which suggests that BMP may be estimated in commercial farms from easily determined slurry characteristics. Finally, slurry nutrient composition was highly variable. Therefore, complete analyses of slurries should be performed for an effective and environmental friendly land application.This project was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL2011-30023) and the Valencian Government (ACOMP/2013/118). We thank the BABEL Project, Building Academic Bonds between Europe and Latin America. Erasmus Mundus Programme Action 2 for PhD fellowships. 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High accuracy, high resolution 235U(n,f) cross section from n_TOF (CERN) from 18 meV to 10 keV

The $^{235}$U(n,f) cross section was measured in a wide energy range (18 meV–170 keV) at the n_TOF facility at CERN, relative to $^{6}$Li(n,t) and $^{10}$B(n,α) standard reactions, with high resolution and accuracy, with a setup based on a stack of six samples and six silicon detectors placed in the neutron beam. In this paper we report on the results in the region between 18 meV and 10 keV neutron energy. A resonance analysis has been performed up to 200 eV, with the code SAMMY. The resulting fission kernels are compared with the ones extracted on the basis of the resonance parameters of the most recent major evaluated data libraries. A comparison of the n_TOF data with the evaluated cross sections is also performed from thermal to 10 keV neutron energy for the energy-averaged cross section in energy groups of suitably chosen width. A good agreement, within 0.5%, is found on average between the new results and the latest evaluated data files ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3, as well as with respect to the broad group average fission cross section established in the framework of the standard working group of IAEA (the so-called reference file). However, some discrepancies, of up to 4%, are still present in some specific energy regions. The new dataset here presented, characterized by a unique combination of high resolution and accuracy, low background and wide energy range, can help to improve the evaluations from the Resolved Resonance Region up to 10 keV, also reducing the uncertainties that affect this region

Purple non‐sulphur bacteria and plant production: benefits for fertilization, stress resistance and the environment

Purple non-sulphur bacteria (PNSB) are phototrophic microorganisms, which increasingly gain attention in plant production due to their ability to produce and accumulate high-value compounds that are benefi- cial for plant growth. Remarkable features of PNSB include the accumulation of polyphosphate, the pro- duction of pigments and vitamins and the production of plant growth-promoting substances (PGPSs). Scattered case studies on the application of PNSB for plant cultivation have been reported for decades, yet a comprehensive overview is lacking. This review highlights the potential of using PNSB in plant pro- duction, with emphasis on three key performanceindicators (KPIs): fertilization, resistance to stress (biotic and abiotic) and environmental benefits. PNSB have the potential to enhance plant growth performance, increase the yield and quality of edible plant biomass, boost the resistance to environmental stresses, bioremediate heavy metals and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Here, the mechanisms responsible for these attributes are discussed. A dis- tinction is made between the use of living and dead PNSB cells, where critical interpretation of existing literature revealed the better performance of living cells. Finally, this review presents research gaps that remain yet to be elucidated and proposes a roadmap for future research and implementation paving the way for a more sustainable crop production