EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESOURCES ON DIGITAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Current close-range photogrammetry makes it possible to obtain 3-D models from imagery acquired with off-the-shelf digital cameras or other low-cost devices and processed with affordable software or apps in an almost automatic way. For this reason, a wider and wider public (often without a specific training, as archaeologists, architects, landscape planners, digital artists) is using these tools and their outcomes in many fields. However, the drawback of its ease of use is that photogrammetry is often used without any critical awareness of the metric quality of the results. Therefore, it is necessary to bridge the growing gap between the spread of photogrammetric techniques and their use through appropriate educational processes. The paper presents and explain the results of the project “Education and training resources on digital photogrammetry”, financed in 2018 by ISPRS as part of the “Educational and Capacity Building Initiative” programme. The project, after evaluating the current teaching methodologies and techniques, is producing and sharing original teaching materials (like videos and datasets) on digital photogrammetry. The aim is to transform the traditional transmissive didactic model in a newer one in which the students have an active role and improve their proficiencies solving actual case studies in practice. This induces students to rethink and better understand all the steps of the photogrammetric project design, acquisition and processing but above all to acquire greater skills to critically evaluate the acquired data and results.</p

THE GIARDINO DELLE CAMELIE IN THE BOBOLI MONUMENTAL GARDEN: INTEGRATED SURVEY, STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT AND RESTORATION PROJECT OF THE ARCHITECTURE, THE DECORATIONS AND THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

The Boboli Monumental Garden, from the first half of the 17th century, houses “secret” spaces such as the Giardino delle Camelie, a secluded space reserved only for members of the Medici family. The particular configuration, both in plan and height, and the state of conservation of the Garden required a thorough survey with photogrammetric and laser scanner techniques as a preliminary investigation for the restoration and structural reinforcement project. The survey, together with a careful examination of the present conditions, the historical and archival research, the geognostic investigations enabled to investigate the object in its many specificities and to proceed to the following analysis and design.Starting from the 3D model, it has been possible to extract all the 2D views for the rendering of the survey and project drawings and to achieve countless qualitative and quantitative information on the structures, otherwise difficult to deduce, useful both for the project and restoration.</p

EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING EXPERIENCES IN GEOMATICS: TAILORED APPROACHES FOR DIFFERENT AUDIENCE

The recent outbreak of geospatial information to a wider audience, represents an inexorable flow made possible by the technological and scientific advances that cannot be opposed. The democratization of Geomatics technologies requires training opportunities with different level of complexity specifically tailored on the target audience and on the final purpose of the digitization process. In this frame, education plays a role of paramount importance, to create in the final users the awareness of the potentials of Geomatics-based technologies and of the quality control over the entire process.This paper outlines the current educational offer concerning the Geomatics Academic discipline in the Italian higher education system, highlighting the lack of dedicated path entirely devoted to the creation of specifically trained figure in this field. The comparison with the International panorama further stresses out this necessity. The purpose of this work is to present different educational approaches by distinguishing between the starting knowledge level of the students/participants and the final aim of the training activities. Three main audiences have been identified: i) experts, who already know some basics of Geomatics to understand the theoretical concepts behind its technologies; ii) intermediate audience, who are interested in learning about Geomatics technologies and methodologies, without any previous or poor education concerning these topics; iii) non-experts, a mix of a wide group of people, with different educations and interests, or without any interest at all.For each group, the multi-year experience concerning educational and training activities for the geomatics-based knowledge transfer in all the multi-level approaches of the GECO Lab (University of Florence) is presented.</p

Clinical and biological progress over 50 years in Rett syndrome

In the 50 years since Andreas Rett first described the syndrome that came to bear his name, and is now known to be caused by a mutation in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene, a compelling blend of astute clinical observations and clinical and laboratory research has substantially enhanced our understanding of this rare disorder. Here, we document the contributions of the early pioneers in Rett syndrome (RTT) research, and describe the evolution of knowledge in terms of diagnostic criteria, clinical variation, and the interplay with other Rett-related disorders. We provide a synthesis of what is known about the neurobiology of MeCP2, considering the lessons learned from both cell and animal models, and how they might inform future clinical trials. With a focus on the core criteria, we examine the relationships between genotype and clinical severity. We review current knowledge about the many comorbidities that occur in RTT, and how genotype may modify their presentation. We also acknowledge the important drivers that are accelerating this research programme, including the roles of research infrastructure, international collaboration and advocacy groups. Finally, we highlight the major milestones since 1966, and what they mean for the day-to-day lives of individuals with RTT and their families

Receptor crosstalk: haloperidol treatment enhances A(2A) adenosine receptor functioning in a transfected cell model

A(2A) adenosine receptors are considered an excellent target for drug development in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. It is noteworthy that the responses evoked by A(2A) adenosine receptors are regulated by D(2) dopamine receptor ligands. These two receptors are co-expressed at the level of the basal ganglia and interact to form functional heterodimers. In this context, possible changes in A(2A) adenosine receptor functional responses caused by the chronic blockade/activation of D(2) dopamine receptors should be considered to optimise the therapeutic effectiveness of dopaminergic agents and to reduce any possible side effects. In the present paper, we investigated the regulation of A(2A) adenosine receptors induced by antipsychotic drugs, commonly acting as D(2) dopamine receptor antagonists, in a cellular model co-expressing both A(2A) and D(2) receptors. Our data suggest that the treatment of cells with the classical antipsychotic haloperidol increased both the affinity and responsiveness of the A(2A) receptor and also affected the degree of A(2A)-D(2) receptor heterodimerisation. In contrast, an atypical antipsychotic, clozapine, had no effect on A(2A) adenosine receptor parameters, suggesting that the two classes of drugs have different effects on adenosine-dopamine receptor interaction. Modifications to A(2A) adenosine receptors may play a significant role in determining cerebral adenosine effects during the chronic administration of antipsychotics in psychiatric diseases and may account for the efficacy of A(2A) adenosine receptor ligands in pathologies associated with dopaminergic system dysfunction

A2A adenosine receptor binding parameters in platelets from patients affected by pathological gambling

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A structural and functional interaction between A(2A) adenosine receptors and D(2) dopamine receptors has been implicated in the pathophysiology of impulse control disorders. The aim of this study was to use platelet membranes to assess A(2A) adenosine receptor affinity and density in patients affected by pathological gambling (PG; which is classified as a specific impulse control disorder) with respect to those of control subjects. METHODS: Twelve drug-free PG patients and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. PG was diagnosed according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV - Patient Version 2.0 and the South Oaks Gambling Screen. A(2A) adenosine receptor binding parameters were evaluated using a [(3)H]ZM(241385) binding assay; affinity and density (B(max)) were determined by means of saturation binding studies with platelet membranes. RESULTS: The A(2A) adenosine receptor binding affinity was found to be significantly higher in patients affected by PG than in healthy subjects; in contrast, no significant differences in B(max) were observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated A(2A) adenosine receptor binding affinity in platelets from PG patients with respect to control subjects demonstrates for the first time a change in adenosine receptor parameters, and it suggests the involvement of the adenosine system in this pathology. The previously demonstrated hyperactivity of the dopamine system in PG may modulate the A(2A) adenosine receptor, supporting a role for this receptor as a peripheral marker of dopamine dysfunction. Because it is not possible to directly measure the D(2) dopamine receptor in human platelets, these data are particularly relevant to the detection of dopamine dysfunction