MPM simulations of the impact of fast landslides on retaining dams

Possible protection systems against flow-like landslides are earth dams built to stop or deviate the flow. The evaluation of impact forces on the structures is still based on oversimplified empirical approaches, which may lead to a very conservative design, with high costs and environmental impact. Numerical methods able to capture the essential features of the phenomenon can offer a valuable tool to support the design of protection measures. This paper shows the potentialities of the Material Point Method (MPM) in this field. A dry granular flow, modelled with the Mohr-Coulomb model is considered. The landslide is placed in front of the barrier with a prescribed velocity and the impact forces on the slanted face is monitored with time

Predicting social media addiction fromInstagram profiles: A data mining approach

In this short paper, we describe an application of data mining techniques to predict Instagram users’ addiction from a set of features related to (i) Instagram captions extracted from photos, videos, comments, and stories, and Instagram indicators such as number of followers and following, blocked and closed friends, and frequency of use. We first applied text mining to explore and describe the main contents of Instagram captions. Next, we used a set of non parametric models and ensemble methods to predict Instagram addiction as measured by the Instagram addiction scale [1]. Models were compared via cross-validation using test and training (random) sets from the original dataset. Results showed that Instagram addiction is mainly predicted by the overall time spent on Instagram, writing stories and comments, and number of followers. Moreover, the results suggest that Instagram users made use of photos/videos and stories/comments differently, with the latter being mostly related to emoticons, experiences, and relationships with other users

Estudio de cúmulos estelares de la Nube Menor de Magallanes: fotometría de Washington de 14 cúmulos de edad intermedia

We present CCD photometry in the Washington system C and T1 bands of 14 star clusters of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We determine ages and metallicities using theoretical isochrones, the δT1 parameter and the Red Giant Standard method. Excepting IC 1708, all the observed clusters are aged between 1 and 6.3 Gyr, while their metallicities ([Fe/H]) range between -0.7 and -1.4. Two important cluster formation episodes in the SMC, dated at ∼ 2 Gyr and ∼ 5 Gyr ago, were detected. During approximately the first 4 Gyr in the SMC lifetime, the cluster formation rate turned out to be constant. A detailed version of this work can be seen in Piatti et al. (2011, MNRAS, 417, 1559).Presentamos fotometría CCD en las bandas C y T1 del sistema de Washington de 14 cúmulos estelares de la Nube Menor de Magallanes (NmM). Usando isócronas teóricas, el parámetro δT1 y el método de las Ramas Gigantes Estándar, determinamos edades y metalicidades. Excepto IC 1708, todos los cú- mulos observados tienen edades entre 1000 y 6300 millones de años y valores de [Fe/H] entre -0.7 y -1.4. Constatamos dos importantes episodios de formación de cúmulos en la NmM ocurridos hace ∼ 2 mil y ∼ 5 mil millones de años. Durante los primeros 4 mil millones de años desde que se formaron los cúmulos, la tasa de formación de los mismos se mantuvo constante. Una versión detallada de este trabajo puede verse en Piatti et al. (2011, MNRAS, 417, 1559).Fil: Piatti, Andres Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Claria Olmedo, Juan Jose. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Bica, E.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Geisler, D.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Ahumada, Andrea Veronica. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Girardi, L.. Observatorio di Padova; Itali

Estimating Overall and Cause-Specific Excess Mortality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Methodological Approaches Compared

During the COVID-19 pandemic, excess mortality has been reported worldwide, but its magnitude has varied depending on methodological differences that hinder between-study comparability. Our aim was to estimate variability attributable to different methods, focusing on specific causes of death with different pre-pandemic trends. Monthly mortality figures observed in 2020 in the Veneto Region (Italy) were compared with those forecasted using: (1) 2018–2019 monthly average number of deaths; (2) 2015–2019 monthly average age-standardized mortality rates; (3) Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models; (4) Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models. We analyzed deaths due to all-causes, circulatory diseases, cancer, and neurologic/mental disorders. Excess all-cause mortality estimates in 2020 across the four approaches were: +17.2% (2018–2019 average number of deaths), +9.5% (five-year average age-standardized rates), +15.2% (SARIMA), and +15.7% (GEE). For circulatory diseases (strong pre-pandemic decreasing trend), estimates were +7.1%, −4.4%, +8.4%, and +7.2%, respectively. Cancer mortality showed no relevant variations (ranging from −1.6% to −0.1%), except for the simple comparison of age-standardized mortality rates (−5.5%). The neurologic/mental disorders (with a pre-pandemic growing trend) estimated excess corresponded to +4.0%/+5.1% based on the first two approaches, while no major change could be detected based on the SARIMA and GEE models (−1.3%/+0.3%). The magnitude of excess mortality varied largely based on the methods applied to forecast mortality figures. The comparison with average age-standardized mortality rates in the previous five years diverged from the other approaches due to the lack of control over pre-existing trends. Differences across other methods were more limited, with GEE models probably representing the most versatile option

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: Analysis of individual records for 67,776 children diagnosed in 61 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

INTRODUCTION Tumors of the central nervous system are among the leading causes of cancer-related death in children. Population-based cancer survival reflects the overall effectiveness of a health care system in managing cancer. Inequity in access to care world-wide may result in survival disparities. METHODS We considered children (0-14 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a rigorous, three-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We implemented a revised version of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (third edition) to control for under-registration of non-malignant astrocytic tumors. We estimated net survival using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator. RESULTS The study included 67,776 children. We estimated survival for 12 histology groups, each based on relevant ICD-O-3 codes. Age-standardized 5-year net survival for low-grade astrocytoma ranged between 84% and 100% world-wide during 2000-2014. In most countries, 5-year survival was 90% or more during 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2014. Global variation in survival for medulloblastoma was much wider, with age-standardized 5-year net survival between 47% and 86% for children diagnosed during 2010-2014. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors in children, by histology. We devised an enhanced version of ICCC-3 to account for differences in cancer registration practices world-wide. Our findings may have public health implications, because low-grade glioma is 1 of the 6 index childhood cancers included by WHO in the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer

Trends in the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Italy between 1991 and 2010

The prevalence of asthma increased worldwide until the 1990s, but since then there has been no clear temporal pattern. The present study aimed to assess time trends in the prevalence of current asthma, asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis in Italian adults from 1990 to 2010. The same screening questionnaire was administered by mail or phone to random samples of the general population (age 20–44 yrs) in Italy, in the frame of three multicentre studies: the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) (1991–1993; n56,031); the Italian Study on Asthma in Young Adults (ISAYA) (1998–2000; n518,873); and the Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) study (2007–2010; n510,494). Time trends in prevalence were estimated using Poisson regression models in the centres that repeated the survey at different points in time. From 1991 to 2010, the median prevalence of current asthma, wheezing and allergic rhinitis increased from 4.1% to 6.6%, from 10.1% to 13.9% and from 16.8% to 25.8%, respectively. The prevalence of current asthma was stable during the 1990s and increased (relative risk 1.38, 95% CI 1.19–1.59) from 1998–2000 to 2007–2010, mainly in subjects who did not report allergic rhinitis. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has increased continuously since 1991. The asthma epidemic is not over in Italy. During the past 20 yrs, asthma prevalence has increased by 38%, in parallel with a similar increase in asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhiniti

Long Term Assessment of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunogenicity after mRNA Vaccine in Persons Living with HIV

(1) Background: Waning of neutralizing and cell-mediated immune response after the primary vaccine cycle (PVC) and the first booster dose (BD) is of concern, especially for PLWH with a CD4 count ≤200 cells/mm3. (2) Methods: Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) titers by microneutralization assay against WD614G/Omicron BA.1 and IFNγ production by ELISA assay were measured in samples of PLWH at four time points [2 and 4 months post-PVC (T1 and T2), 2 weeks and 5 months after the BD (T3 and T4)]. Participants were stratified by CD4 count after PVC (LCD4, ≤200/mm3; ICD4, 201–500/mm3, and HCD4, >500/mm3). Mixed models were used to compare mean responses over T1–T4 across CD4 groups. (3) Results: 314 PLWH on ART (LCD4 = 56; ICD4 = 120; HCD4 = 138) were enrolled. At T2, levels of nAbs were significantly lower in LCD4 vs. ICD4/HCD4 (p = 0.04). The BD was crucial for increasing nAbs titers above 1:40 at T3 and up to T4 for WD614G. A positive T cell response after PVC was observed in all groups, regardless of CD4 (p = 0.31). (4) Conclusions: Waning of nAbs after PVC was more important in LCD4 group. The BD managed to re-establish higher levels of nAbs against WD614G, which were retained for 5 months, but for shorter time for Omicron BA.1. The T cellular response in the LCD4 group was lower than that seen in participants with higher CD4 count, but, importantly, it remained above detectable levels over the entire study period

Modellazione fisica in centrifuga di un argine fluviale soggetto a forzanti idrauliche

In questo lavoro sono riportati i risultati sperimentali di una prova in centrifuga su un modello di argine fluviale soggetto ad una progressiva sollecitazione idraulica. Le misure di pressioni neutre e di suzione nell’argine mostrano che il fronte di saturazione raggiunge il lato campagna attingendo la condizione stazionaria solo dopo una persistenza irrealistica dell'evento di piena simulato. Pertanto svolgere la progettazione o la valutazione delle condizioni di sicurezza di un argine fluviale con proprietà simili a quello testato nel presente lavoro, assumendo l'ipotesi semplificata di un regime stazionario di filtrazione potrebbe risultare in molti casi un approccio eccessivamente conservativo e, comunque, poco significativo

Global survival trends for brain tumours, by histology: analysis of individual records for 67,776 children diagnosed in 61 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3).

INTRODUCTION: Tumours of the central nervous system are among the leading causes of cancer-related death in children. Population-based cancer survival reflects the overall effectiveness of a health care system in managing cancer. Inequity in access to care world-wide may result in survival disparities. METHODS: We considered children (0-14 years) diagnosed with a brain tumour during 2000-2014, regardless of tumour behaviour. Data underwent a rigorous, three-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We implemented a revised version of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (3 rd edition) to control for under-registration of non-malignant astrocytic tumours. We estimated net survival using the unbiased non-parametric Pohar Perme estimator. RESULTS: The study included 67,776 children. We estimated survival for 12 histology groups, each based on relevant ICD-O-3 codes. Age-standardised five-year net survival for low-grade astrocytoma ranged between 84% and 100% world-wide during 2000-2014. In most countries, five-year survival was 90% or more during 2000-2004, 2005-2009 and 2010-2014. Global variation in survival for medulloblastoma was much wider, with age-standardised five-year net survival between 47% and 86% for children diagnosed during 2010-2014. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumours in children, by histology. We devised an enhanced version of ICCC-3 to account for differences in cancer registration practices world-wide. Our findings may have public health implications, because low-grade glioma is one of the six index childhood cancers included by WHO in the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer