Recent morphoevolution of the Fabro calanchi badlands (Umbria, Italy)

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the recent morphoevolution of Fabro calanchi badlands (Umbria, Italy). This geomorphologic study aims 1) at reconstructing the recent morphodynamics of the badlands over a 55-year period (1955-2010), 2) at estimating the erosion rate and 3) and at analyzing the possible correlation between calanchi badland morphoevolution and properties of their parent materials. Field surveys and photogeological analysis demonstrate that Fabro calanchi badlands are mainly composed of a characteristic network of deep incisions, steep slopes and sharp knife-edged ridge-lines. In these, rilling processes predominate over landsliding and piping erosion. Direct point measurements were taken to quantify the erosion rate on two representative slopes. Selected monitoring stations have recorded a soil erosion rates ranging from 2 to 3 cm a-1. Finally, analyses of grain size, mineralogy and the major element content of soil samples allowed the identification of possible correlations between these factors and both geomorphic processes and development and evolution of calanchi badlands. A major role seems to be played by clay dispersivity in calanchi badland development

Sr-ISOTOPE RATIOS OF A SOIL PROFILE (BADLANDS) NEAR RADICOFANI (SOUTHERN TUSCANY)

The Sr/Ca ratios and Sr-isotope ratios of bulk samples and acetate extracts from a soil profile developed on Pliocene marine clays near Radicofani, in southern Tuscany, were determined. The uniform Sr/Ca ratios in the soil indicated a uniform distribution of the two elements throughout the profile. In contrast, the lower Sr/Ca ratios of acetate extracts from the upper horizons of the soil suggest preferential removal of Sr relative to Ca, perhaps by the plants. These latter seem to accumulate more Sr than Ca during their lifetime. The δ87Sr of acetate extracts suggests that bulk Sr is provided by the calcite of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary formations of southern Tuscany. A minor source of Sr, although subordinate, is represented by clastic albite. A grass sample growing on the soil contained the Sr uptaken from both sources

Morphodynamics and morphological changes of the last 50 years in a badland sample area of Southern Tuscany (Italy)

The purpose of this geomorphologic study was to analyse thc recent morphologic evolution of calanchi badlands over a SO years' period (1955-2006) and to evaluate the mean erosion rate in areas situated in Southern Tuscany. These areas are characterised by Pliocene marine claystone which have undergone and continue to undergo erosion processes and a rapid morphologic evolution. Our morphodynamic investigation was based on systematic field surveys conducted over a 12 years' period (1994-2006) and photogeological analysis of a 30 km2 wide area. The systematic field surveys demonstrated that in the calanchi badland areas, erosion processes due to sheet-wash and channelled water act together gravitational processes, mainly represented by landslides and solifluction. Our research indicated that the effects of gravitational processes have increased over the last 10 years while sheet-wash action has been less intense over that same period. This is demonstrated by the progressive increase of flows at the top of the calanchi badland slopes which determined the general rounding of sharp crests and the partial filling of several cuttings. In addition, our morphodynamic analys is strongly suggests that anthropogenic action should not be overlooked or underestimated as a major force in shaping the landscape in the study area over the last so years. Quantitative evaluation of the morphodynamic evolution based over a 50 years' period, was carried out in the "Torrente Cacarello" sample area, chosen as representative of the whole study area. The comparison between 1955, 1976 and 2006 detailed geomorphologic maps (scale 1 :5,000), obtained from the aerial photographs and from the recent (2006) field survey, allowed us to estimate the morphological differences which occurred in this period. Detailed analysis of the three geomorphological maps of the sample area obtained for eaeh peri od, were compared through a GIS software and enabled us to quantify the following different morphological processes that influenced the variation found in these areas: 1) the calanchi badland area increased over the last 50 years; 2) mass movements prevail over sheet wash erosion; 3) calanchi badlands in their most recent morphological state are shaped by numerous scattered small landslides. The geomorphological study in the sample area was completed by direct morphodynamic analysis: measurements of erosion were taken in order to quantify the mean erosion rate. The sample area was monitored during the period JuI. OO-Jan. 06. Morphographic and morphometric analyses showed that the calanchi badlands are characterised by constant and quick shrinking of their edges eaused by landslides. Selected measurement stations located on slopes indicated an erosion rate ranging from 6 to 6.5 cm/y. The mean erosion rate measured in the sample area of this study was comparable to the mean crosion rate indicated in our earlier studies of neighbouring areas of Southern Tuscany; the mean erosion rate in both of these studies was significantly higher than those indicated by other authors who have studied ltalian badlands

Morphological analysis and erosion rate evaluation in badlands of Radicofani area (Southern Tuscany-Italy)

Since 1988, geomorphologic research based on field surveys and photo-geological analysis, has been conducted in southern Tuscany (Italy), in areas characterised by very rapid morphological evolution. In the area outcrop Pliocene marine claystones uplifted during the Quaternary up to 750 m above sea level, now undergoing intense erosion processes, leading to considerable badlands formation. Morphodynamic analysis, conduced by direct and indirect measurements in a sample area, were taken in order to quantify the erosion rate in badland areas. The "Torrente Piantrafolla" sample area was chosen as representative of the study area; it was most recently monitored during the period Nov. 2000-Feb. 2004. At this time, morphographic and morphometric analyses carried out in selected measurement stations located on slopes, identified gravity as the main morphogenetic process responsible for slope shaping. The calanchi badland areas are characterised by constant and rapid shrinking of their edges resulting from landslides which occur in autumn and winter as a consequence of intense rainstorms. Selected measurement stations indicate an erosion rate value range from 5 to 7.5 cm/y. The comparison between 1976 and 1994 digital elevation models (DEM), obtained from photogrammetric restitution, indicated a mean erosion rate of about 5 cm/y in a nineteen year period. This value, considerably higher than the values measured in other Italian basins, indicate a very rapid evolution of the slopes, due mainly to small earth flows inside calanchi badlands. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAP OF THE CONTIGNANO AREA (UPPER ORCIA RIVER BASIN - SOUTHERN TUSCANY, ITALY)

Tipolitografia “Istituto Salesiano Pio XI”, Roma

Artificial intelligence for radiographic imaging detection of caries lesions: a systematic review

Abstract Background The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models designed for the detection of caries lesion (CL). Materials and methods An electronic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, LILACS and Embase databases for retrospective, prospective and cross-sectional studies published until January 2023, using the following keywords: artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), artificial neural networks (ANN), convolutional neural networks (CNN), deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN), radiology, detection, diagnosis and dental caries (DC). The quality assessment was performed using the guidelines of QUADAS-2. Results Twenty articles that met the selection criteria were evaluated. Five studies were performed on periapical radiographs, nine on bitewings, and six on orthopantomography. The number of imaging examinations included ranged from 15 to 2900. Four studies investigated ANN models, fifteen CNN models, and two DCNN models. Twelve were retrospective studies, six cross-sectional and two prospective. The following diagnostic performance was achieved in detecting CL: sensitivity from 0.44 to 0.86, specificity from 0.85 to 0.98, precision from 0.50 to 0.94, PPV (Positive Predictive Value) 0.86, NPV (Negative Predictive Value) 0.95, accuracy from 0.73 to 0.98, area under the curve (AUC) from 0.84 to 0.98, intersection over union of 0.3–0.4 and 0.78, Dice coefficient 0.66 and 0.88, F1-score from 0.64 to 0.92. According to the QUADAS-2 evaluation, most studies exhibited a low risk of bias. Conclusion AI-based models have demonstrated good diagnostic performance, potentially being an important aid in CL detection. Some limitations of these studies are related to the size and heterogeneity of the datasets. Future studies need to rely on comparable, large, and clinically meaningful datasets. Protocol PROSPERO identifier: CRD4202347070