Geosite assessment and communication: a review

This work is aimed at reviewing the current state of the art in geosite selection, assessment, and communication. We first highlight the main papers that have defined paramount concepts such as geodiversity, geoheritage, and geosites. We then delve into the theoretical principles and guidelines that have been proposed over the last twenty years by researchers who have thoroughly illustrated how to individuate and assess geosites. In doing so, we illustrate notable field examples of applications of qualitative and quantitative assessments of geosites in places such as Serbia, India, Iceland, Ecuador, Sardinia (Italy), Egypt, Tasmania (Australia), and Brazil. The third part of this work is dedicated to illustrating a list (by no means exhaustive) of works that have tried to come up with innovative tools, strategies, and solutions to promote and communicate geosites. From our work, it appears that geosites can be extremely effective as fully fledged outreach tools capable of bridging the gap between Earth science and the lay public

Transnasal endoscopic removal of malformation of the odontoid process in a patient with type I Arnold-Chiari malformation: a case report

The endoscopic endonasal approach is emerging as a feasible alternative to the trans-oral route for the resection of the odontoid process, when the latter produces a compression of the brainstem and cervicomedullary junction. This type of approach has some advantages, such as excellent pre-vertebral exposure of the cranio-vertebral junction in patients with small oral cavities and the possibility to avoid the use of mouth retractors. A typical case of a 24-year-old male patient with a previous diagnosis of type I Arnold-Chiari Malformation, suffering from a posterior dislocation of the odontoid process causing severe anterior compression of the brainstem, is presented to stress the potential of this technique. Trans-nasal endoscopic removal of the odontoid process was performed and resolution of the ventral compression of the brainstem was achieved. This report demonstrates that in selected cases, an endoscopic endonasal approach should now be considered an excellent alternative to the traditional trans-oral approach

Surgical Training on Ex Vivo Ovine Model in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

Background: Nowadays, head and neck surgical approaches need an increased level of anatomical knowledge and practical skills; therefore, the related learning curve is both flat and long. On such procedures, surgeons must decrease operating time as much as possible to reduce the time of general anesthesia and related stress factors for patients. Consequently, little time can be dedicated for training skills of students and young residents in the operating theater. Fresh human cadavers offer the most obvious surrogate for living patients, but they have several limitations, such as cost, availability, and local regulations. Recently, the feasibility of using ex vivo animal models, in particular ovine ones, have been considered as high-fidelity alternatives to cadaveric specimens. Methods: This comprehensive review explores all of head and neck otolaryngology applications with this sample. We analyzed studies about ear surgery, orbital procedures, parotid gland and facial nerve reanimation, open laryngeal and tracheal surgery, microlaryngoscopy procedures, laryngotracheal stenosis treatment, and diagnostic/operative pediatric endoscopy. For each different procedure, we underline the main applications, similarities, and limitations to human procedures so as to improve the knowledge of this model as a useful tool for surgical training. Results: An ovine model is easily available and relatively inexpensive, it has no limitations associated with religious or animal ethical issues, and it is reliable for head and neck surgery due to similar consistencies tissues and neurovascular structures with respect to humans. However, some other issues should be considered, such as differences about some anatomical features, the risk of zoonotic diseases, and the absence of bleeding during training. Conclusion: This comprehensive review highlights the potentials of an ex vivo ovine model and aims to stimulate the scientific and academic community to further develop it for other applications in surgical education

Integrating virtual reality and gis tools for geological mapping, data collection and analysis: An example from the metaxa mine, santorini (Greece)

In the present work we highlight the effectiveness of integrating different techniques and tools for better surveying, mapping and collecting data in volcanic areas. We use an Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) approach for data collection, integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis in a well-known volcanological site in Santorini (Metaxa mine), a site where volcanic processes influenced the island’s industrial development, especially with regard to pumice mining. Specifically, we have focused on: (i) three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution IVR scenario building, based on Structure from Motion photogrammetry (SfM) modeling; (ii) subsequent geological survey, mapping and data collection using IVR; (iii) data analysis, e.g., calculation of extracted volumes, as well as production of new maps in a GIS environment using input data directly from the IVR survey; and finally, (iv) presentation of new outcomes that highlight the importance of the Metaxa Mine as a key geological and volcanological geosite

Monitoraggio e controllo dei beni monumentali: formazione e certificazione del personale

Il presente lavoro costituisce una proposta per la formazione e la certificazione del personale che opera nel campo dei controlli e del monitoraggio dei beni monumentali ubicati in area sismica. Per bene Monumentale si intende qualsiasi manufatto con connotati a valenza storico-artistica, realizzato prevalentemente in muratura, con eventuali elementi in calcestruzzo armato e/o legno. L'articolo scaturisce da una proposta di formazione da sviluppare nell'ambito del Progetto PON denominato MASSIMO, acronimo di "Monitoraggio in Area Sismica Sistemi Monumentali" e dal quale estrarre mirati percorsi di addestramento da inserire in un preciso contesto di certificazione, secondo gli usuali livelli di conoscenza previsti dalla norma UNI EN ISO 9712 "Prove non distruttive - Qualificazione e certificazione del personale addetto alle prove non distruttive". Il contributo espone il percorso formativo relativo al progetto di ricerca e illustra le peculiarità e gli obbiettivi di alcune attività di controllo e monitoraggio basate su tecniche NDT. Per le tecniche maggiormente utilizzate nel processo di controllo, sono elencate le conoscenze minime richieste e le ore di attività necessarie, a giudizio di chi scrive, per poter giungere ad una conoscenza più o meno approfondita del metodo, in base ai diversi livelli di competenza ed al fine di sostenere gli esami di certificazione.Published53-613T. Pericolosità sismica e contributo alla definizione del rischioN/A or not JCRrestricte

Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 15

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrections are provided as Suppl. material 1

Una metodologia di indagine basata su tecniche NDT per la mitigazione del rischio sismico di beni storici soggetti a tutela

Sommario In questo lavoro viene presentata una metodologia di indagine NDT (acronimo inglese di Non Destructing Testing), basata su tecniche classiche di misura, telerilevamento prossimale e satellitare ad alta risoluzione spaziale, analisi sismogenetiche ed indagini geofisiche, per la mitigazione del rischio sismico di edifici storici monumentali soggetti a tutela. I risultati sperimentali, ottenuti per il caso di studio del complesso monumentale di Sant’Agostino ubicato nella città di Cosenza, dimostrano l’efficacia dell’approccio proposto sia per applicazioni correnti (il monitoraggio materiale e strutturale di un manufatto), sia per applicazioni emergenti (mitigazione del rischio sismico di beni storici)

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 11.

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. A new combination in the genus Pilosella is proposed. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1