Rapid communications Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna

(VL) cases has recently been reported in Bologna Province in northern Italy. Over six months from November 2012 to May 2013, 14 cases occurred, whereas the average number of cases per year was 2.6 (range: 0–8) in 2008 to 2012. VL was diagnosed in a median of 40 days (range: 15–120) from disease onset. This delay in diagnosis shows the need for heightened awareness of clinicians for autochthonous VL in Europe. From November 2012 to May 2013, public health authorities, microbiologists and clinicians in Bologna Province, northern Italy, noted an upsurge in human cases of visceral leishmaniasis. During these six months, 14 cases were notified, an over five-fold increase compared with the annual average of 2.

Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013

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Structure Extraction in Printed Documents Using Neural Approaches

This paper addresses the problem of layout and logical structure extraction from image documents. Two classes of approaches are first studied and discussed in general terms: data-driven and model-driven. In the latter, some specific approaches like rule-based or formal grammar are usually studied on very stereotyped documents providing honest results, while in the former artificial neural networks are often considered for small patterns with good results. Our understanding of these techniques let us to believe that a hybrid model is a more appropriate solution for structure extraction. Based on this standpoint, we proposed a Perceptive Neural Network based approach using a static topology that possesses the characteristics of a dynamic neural network. Thanks to its transparency, it allows a better representation of the model elements and the relationships between the logical and the physical components. Furthermore, it possesses perceptive cycles providing some capacities in data refinement and correction. Tested on several kinds of documents, the results are better than those of a static Multilayer Perceptron

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Alcuni punti fermi per la biografia e l'attività di Francesco Parone

Il saggio, riconsiderando criticamente la laconica biografia del pittore redatta da Giovanni Baglione, la scarna bibliografia in merito e attraverso una accurata ricerca documentaria, ricostruisce la fisionomia artistica e, per quanto possibile, biografica dell'artista, considerato fino ad oggi semplicemente "copista di Caravaggio

An integrated approach for historic bridge preservation

An itegrated approach for the structural analysis and evaluation of preservation interventions of an historic railway arch bridge is presented. The integrated approach is based on the combined use of full-scale testing and numerical simulations: a numerical model of the bridge is set up and calibrated on experimental tests. Using the numerical model is then possible to evaluate the structural effects of a possible strengthening intervention