Terrorismo jihadista e uso delle armi da fuoco in occidente

In recent years, armed groups and individual militants of jihadist inspiration have planned and, in some cases, actually carried out terrorist attacks in the West using various types of firearms – some of them with severe consequences. After presenting an overview of the literature available on the subject, this contribution focuses on the topic of the process of weapon selection at the organizational level and addresses the issue of the use and acquisition of firearms in jihadist attacks in the West, also on the basis of original data. Keywords: terrorism, firearms, weapon selection, jihadism, crime   Negli ultimi anni gruppi armati e singoli militanti di ispirazione jihadista hanno pianificato e in alcuni casi portato effettivamente a termine attacchi terroristici in Occidente, anche assai gravi, avvalendosi di vari tipi di arma da fuoco. Questo contributo, dopo aver presentato una ricognizione della letteratura disponibile in materia, si sofferma sulla questione del processo di selezione delle armi a livello organizzativo, per giungere infine ad affrontare il tema dell’impiego e dell’acquisizione di armi da fuoco negli attacchi di matrice jihadista realizzati in Occidente, anche sulla base di dati originali. Parole chiave: terrorismo, armi da fuoco, selezione delle armi, jihadismo, criminalit

A comparative study of X-ray tomographic microscopy on shales at different synchrotron facilities: ALS, APS and SLS.

Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) was used to characterize the three-dimensional microstructure, geometry and distribution of different phases in two shale samples obtained from the North Sea (sample N1) and the Upper Barnett Formation in Texas (sample B1). Shale is a challenging material because of its multiphase composition, small grain size, low but significant amount of porosity, as well as strong shape- and lattice-preferred orientation. The goals of this round-robin project were to (i) characterize microstructures and porosity on the micrometer scale, (ii) compare results measured at three synchrotron facilities, and (iii) identify optimal experimental conditions of high-resolution SRXTM for fine-grained materials. SRXTM data of these shales were acquired under similar conditions at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA, the Advanced Photon Source (APS) of Argonne National Laboratory, USA, and the Swiss Light Source (SLS) of the Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland. The data reconstruction of all datasets was handled under the same procedures in order to compare the data quality and determine phase proportions and microstructures. With a 10× objective lens the spatial resolution is approximately 2 µm. The sharpness of phase boundaries in the reconstructed data collected from the APS and SLS was comparable and slightly more refined than in the data obtained from the ALS. Important internal features, such as pyrite (high-absorbing), and low-density features, including pores, fractures and organic matter or kerogen (low-absorbing), were adequately segmented on the same basis. The average volume fractions of low-density features for sample N1 and B1 were estimated at 6.3 (6)% and 4.5 (4)%, while those of pyrite were calculated to be 5.6 (6)% and 2.0 (3)%, respectively. The discrepancy of data quality and volume fractions were mainly due to different types of optical instruments and varying technical set-ups at the ALS, APS and SLS

Aortoenteric fistula as a late complication of thrombolysis and bare metal stenting for perioperative occlusion of aortofemoral bypass

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Secreted phospholipases A2 in hereditary angioedema with C1-inhibitor deficiency

BackgroundHereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by deficiency (type I) or dysfunction (type II) of the C1 inhibitor protein (C1-INH-HAE) is a disabling, potentially fatal condition characterized by recurrent episodes of swelling. We have recently found that patients with C1-INH-HAE have increased plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factors and angiopoietins (Angs), which have been associated with vascular permeability in several diseases. Among these and other factors, blood endothelial cells and vascular permeability can be modulated by extracellular or secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s).ObjectiveWe sought to investigate the enzymatic activity and biological functions of sPLA2 in patients with C1-INH-HAE.MethodssPLA2s enzymatic activity was evaluated in the plasma from 109 adult patients with C1-INH-HAE and 68 healthy donors in symptom-free period and attacks. Plasma level of group IIA sPLA2 (hGIIA) protein was measured in selected samples. The effect of C1-INH-HAE plasma on endothelial permeability was examined in vitro using a vascular permeability assay. The role of hGIIA was determined using highly specific sPLA2 indole inhibitors. The effect of recombinant hGIIA on C1-INH activity was examined in vitro by functional assay.ResultsPlasma sPLA2 activity and hGIIA levels are increased in symptom-free C1-INH-HAE patients compared with controls. sPLA2 activity negatively correlates with C1-INH protein level and function. C1-INH-HAE plasma increases endothelial permeability in vitro, and this effect is partially reverted by a specific hGIIA enzymatic inhibitor. Finally, recombinant hGIIA inhibits C1-INH activity in vitro.ConclusionsPLA2 enzymatic activity (likely attributable to hGIIA), which is increased in C1-INH-HAE patients, can promote vascular permeability and impairs C1-INH activity. Our results may pave the way for investigating the functions of sPLA2s (in particular, hGIIA) in the pathophysiology of C1-INH-HAE and may inform the development of new therapeutic targets

Hybrid approach to thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with prior aortic surgery

none7Objective: The hybrid approach to the repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), consisting of visceral aortic debranching with retrograde revascularization of the splanchnic and renal arteries and aneurysm exclusion using stent grafts, has been previously described and may be considered particularly appealing in high-risk patients, especially those who have undergone prior aortic surgery. This study analyzed prospectively recorded data of a series of high-risk patients with prior aortic surgery who underwent hybrid TAAA repair at our institute and contrasted the outcomes with those of a similar group of patients who underwent conventional open TAAA repair. Methods: Between 2001 and 2006, 13 patients (12 men) with a median age of 69.6 years (range, 35 to 82 years) underwent one-stage hybrid repair of TAAA (7 type I, 2 type II, 2 type IV, and 2 aneurysms of the visceral aortic patch). These patients, the hybrid group, had a history of aortic surgery (30.7% ascending, 30.7% descending, 46.1% abdominal aortic repair, and 15.4% redo TAAA) and were at high risk for open repair. The criteria used to define these patients as high risk and to indicate the need for hybrid treatment were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or 4 associated with a preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <50%. In all cases, we accomplished partial or total visceral aortic debranching through (1) a previous visceral artery retrograde revascularization with synthetic grafts (single bypass, customized Y or bifurcated grafts), and (2) aortic endovascular repair with one of three different commercially produced stent grafts (Cook, W.L. Gore & Assoc, and Medtronic). We analyzed the results and compared the outcomes of the hybrid group with those of a similar group of 29 patients (25 men) with a median age 65.3 years (range, 58 to 79) selected from our overall series of 246 TAAA repairs between 1988 and 2005. These 29 patients, the conventionally treated group, were selected for having had aortic surgery (22% ascending, 38% descending, 42% abdominal aortic repair, and 10.3% redo TAAA), an ASA 3 or 4, a preoperative FEV1 <50%, and a conventional open repair of TAAA (10 type I, 5 type II, 4 type III, 7 type IV, and 3 aneurysms of the visceral aortic patch). Results: In the hybrid group, 32 visceral bypasses were completed and endovascular TAAA repair was successful in all cases. No intraoperative deaths occurred. Perioperative mortality was 23%, and morbidity was 30.8% (renal failure in 2, respiratory failure in 1, and delayed transient paraplegia in 1). At a median follow-up of 14.9 months (range, 11 days to 59.4 months), all grafts were patent at postoperative computed tomography angiography and no aneurysm-related deaths, endoleak, stent graft migration, or morbidity related to visceral revascularization had occurred. No conventionally treated patients died intraoperatively. Perioperative mortality was 17.2% and morbidity was 44.8% (respiratory failure in 7, coagulopathy in 1, renal failure in 2, and paraplegia in 3). At a median follow-up of 5.4 years (range, 1.7 to 7.9 years), no significant complications related to aortic repair occurred, except for three patients (10.3%) with asymptomatic dilatation of the visceral aortic patch <5 cm undergoing radiologic surveillance. Conclusion: Hybrid TAAA repair is technically feasible in selected cases. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were considerable in our subset of high-risk patients with prior aortic surgery, but no aneurysm-related or procedure-related complications were reported at mid-term follow-up. Hybrid TAAA repair did not lead to a significant improvement in outcomes compared with open TAAA repair in a similar group of patients. Larger series are required for valid statistical comparisons and longer follow-ups are necessary to evaluate the durability of hybrid repairs. © 2007 The Society for Vascular Surgery.Chiesa, R.; Tshomba, Y.; Melissano, G.; Marone, E.M.; Bertoglio, L.; Setacci, F.; Calliari, F.Chiesa, R.; Tshomba, Y.; Melissano, G.; Marone, ENRICO MARIA; Bertoglio, L.; Setacci, F.; Calliari, F

Quantification of the total economic value of forest systems: spatial analysis application to the region of Tuscany (Italy)

In forest sector several practical applications need  to consider the monetary value of social utility for each specific location and forest function. In this framework the aim of the paper is to implement a spatial analysis model able to link a set of methodologies for the quantification of the total economic value of the forests. The main characteristic of the proposed methodology is the achievement of a geographical dataset with high resolution that can be used for both ex-ante and ex-post Cost-Benefit Analysis and the improvement of spatially explicit forest planning and policy. The results of the application show that spatial analysis methodologies allow the aggregation of several variables and also facilitate the introduction of natural capital concepts into environmental decision-making processes. The analysis is implemented and verified in Tuscany region (central Italy)

Jihadist Attacks in the West: 2014-2022

Jihadism in the West has a roughly four-decade long history. Its first, embryonal presence dates back to the 1980s, when scattered groups of Western-based volunteers traveled to Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet Union. Around the same time, a few Middle Eastern and North African jihadists fleeing their countries of origin received asylum in various Western countries. Since then, both Europe and North America have steadily been home to pockets of sympathizers of jihadist ideology. These pockets have historically been extremely heterogeneous and have undergone huge changes over time. They have always varied in size and complexity; while some are relatively large and tied to established recruitment pipelines, others are more spontaneous, constituted by isolated individuals and small groups of friends who radicalize independently. Their composition has always been extremely varied, encompassing men and women, recent arrivals to the West from all over the world and Western converts, old and young, seemingly well-adjusted individuals and those living at the fringes of society, and so on. Moreover, pockets of jihadist sympathy have historically been geographically unevenly distributed, with some countries and regions experiencing a much larger presence than others. Yet, irrespective of all these extremely important differences, it is fair to say that a jihadist scene is a permanent fixture in Europe and, to a lesser degree, North America. The vicissitudes of this scene are shaped by the interactions of two macro variables. The first is internal, and it is constituted by the characteristics of the Western jihadist scene, which is of course different from Western country to Western country. Various elements shape it, from the presence of radicalizing agents to the socio-economic marginalization of local Muslim communities, from the effectiveness of local counterterrorism efforts to migration patterns. The second element, which plays a major role in determining the size and direction of the Western jihadist scene, is constituted by geopolitical developments taking place outside of the West. Historically, it has always been events such as the war in Afghanistan in the 1980s, the Bosnian war in the 1990s, the September 11th attacks and subsequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and finally, the surge of the Islamic State (IS) and its June 2014 declaration of a caliphate that drove spikes in the numbers of jihadist sympathizers in the West, the activism of Western-based jihadist networks, and their mobilization choices. In substance, the history of Western jihadism is characterized by ebbs and flows. There are moments, triggered largely by important events that take place outside of the West, in which the numbers of jihadist sympathizers swell and jihadists become more active. That increased activity, in turn, manifests itself in various ways, but principally in the form of travel to join jihadist groups abroad, and planning and execution of terrorist attacks. These moments are followed by others, generally corresponding to a lack of triggering events outside of the West, in which the Western jihadist scene, while still active, no longer attracts large number of new sympathizers and its members mobilize (travel or plan attacks) with a lower degree of intensity