Reliability and uncertainties of the analysis of an unstable rock slope performed on RPAS digital outcrop models: The case of the gallivaggio landslide (Western Alps, Italy)

A stability investigation based on Digital Outcrop Models (DOMs) acquired in emergency conditions by photogrammetric surveys based on Remote Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) was conducted on an unstable rock slope near Gallivaggio (Western Alps, Italy). The predicted mechanism of failure and volume of the unstable portion of the slope were successively verified on the DOMs acquired after the rockfall that effectively collapsed the May 29th, 2018. The comparison of the pre-and post-landslide 3D models shows that the estimated mode of failure was substantially correct. At the same time, the predicted volume of rock involved in the landslide was overestimated by around 10%. To verify if this error was due to the limited accuracy of the models georeferenced in emergency considering only the Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Measurement Unit (GNSS/IMU)-information of RPAS, several Ground Control Points (GCPs) were acquired after the failure. The analyses indicate that the instrumental error in the volume calculation due to the direct-georeferencing method is only of the 1.7%. In contrast, the significant part is due to the geological uncertainty in the reconstruction of the real irregular geometry of the invisible part of the failure surface. The results, however, confirm the satisfying relative accuracy of the direct-georeferenced DOMs, compatible with most geological and geoengineering purposes

Effectiveness of hyaluronate-based pessaries in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid-based vaginal pessaries (Hydeal-D) in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).Study design: The study was a pro..

Survey solutions for 3D acquisition and representation of artificial and natural caves

A three-dimensional survey of natural caves is often a difficult task due to the roughness of the investigated area and the problems of accessibility. Traditional adopted techniques allow a simplified acquisition of the topography of caves characterized by an oversimplification of the geometry. Nowadays, the advent of LiDAR and Structure from Motion applications eased three-dimensional surveys in different environments. In this paper, we present a comparison between other three-dimensional survey systems, namely a Terrestrial Laser Scanner, a SLAM-based portable instrument, and a commercial photo camera, to test their possible deployment in natural caves survey. We presented a comparative test carried out in a tunnel stretch to calibrate the instrumentation on a benchmark site. The choice of the site is motivated by its regular geometry and easy accessibility. According to the result obtained in the calibration site, we presented a methodology, based on the Structure from Motion approach that resulted in the best compromise among accuracy, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness, that could be adopted for the three-dimensional survey of complex natural caves using a sequence of images and the structure from motion algorithm. The methods consider two different approaches to obtain a low resolution complete three-dimensional model of the cave and ultra-detailed models of most peculiar cave morphological elements. The proposed system was tested in the Gazzano Cave (Piemonte region, Northwestern Italy). The obtained result is a three-dimensional model of the cave at low resolution due to the site’s extension and the remarkable amount of data. Additionally, a peculiar speleothem, i.e., a stalagmite, in the cave was surveyed at high resolution to test the proposed high-resolution approach on a single object. The benchmark and the cave trials allowed a better definition of the instrumentation choice for underground surveys regarding accuracy and feasibility

Three-dimensional modelling of artificial caves for geomechanical analysis

Accurate cave surveying is crucial for understanding their genesis, current state, and potential hazards, especially in challenging environments marked by limited accessibility and poor visibility. This study applies geomatics techniques, including Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), SLAM-based Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), and digital photogrammetry, to create three-dimensional models of artificial caves in Gravina in Puglia, Apulia region, southern Italy. The research aims to assess these methodologies' accuracy, reliability, and performance for structural monitoring and hazard assessment. Despite challenges such as rough conditions, limited accessibility and poor visibility, the study reveals promising insights into the capabilities of these techniques for efficient surveying in complex underground environments. While highlighting the potential of MMS for cost-effective and rapid data acquisition, digital photogrammetry using spherical cameras also emerges as a viable alternative, offering comprehensive data collection capabilities with minimal capture time. Further research is warranted to optimize these techniques for enhanced hazard assessment and structural monitoring in challenging underground environments

Exploiting Distance Technology to Foster Experimental Design as a Neglected Learning Objective in Labwork in Chemistry

This article deals with the design process of a remote laboratory for labwork in chemistry. In particular, it focuses on the mutual dependency of theoretical conjectures about learning in the experimental sciences and technological opportunities in creating learning environments. The design process involves a detailed analysis of the expert task and knowledge, e.g., spectrophotometry as a method for the determination of the concentration of a compound in a solution. In so doing, modifications in transposing tasks and knowledge to the learning situation can be monitored. The remote laboratory is described, as well as the specific features that alter the degree of fidelity of the learning situation in comparison to the expert one. It is conjectured that these alterations might represent actual benefits for learning

Efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid (500-730kDa) ultrasound-guided injections on painful tendinopathies: a prospective, open label, clinical study

Background: Tendinopathies are conditions characterized by activity-induced pain, local tenderness and swelling for which a gold standard treatment is not established yet. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a key-molecule in several cellular activities and it is normally present in the extra-cellular matrix of tendons and ligaments. Amongst its properties, HA injections may reduce pain and determine disease-modifying effects. This study is an investigator-initiated open-label trial conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of HA (500-730 kDa) peritendinous injections on pain reduction in patients affected by lateral elbow, Achilles or patellar tendinopathy. Methods: A total of 71 tendons (34 with Achilles tendinopathy, 26 with lateral elbow tendinopathy, 11 with patellar tendinopathy) of 62 patients with painful tendinopathy were treated with a cycle of ultrasound-guided peritendinous injections one injection per week for three consecutive weeks. Efficacy assessments included changes in pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at follow-up evaluations were performed 7 (V2), 14 (V3) and 56 days aften first treatment. An Ultrasound (US) assessment was also performed to evaluate changes in tendon thickness and neovascularization. Adverse events were recorded for safety analysis throughout the study. All results were analyzed with descriptive statistics appropriate to the nature of the variables. Results: Significant reduction in VAS (p<0.001) from baseline was observed in Achilles (-6.16 ± 0.45 cm), patellar (-6.16 ± 0.72 cm) and lateral elbow (-5.33 ± 0.43 cm) tendinopathies. The sagittal thickness decreased significantly from baseline at each endpoint (V3 day 14 and V4 day 56) in each type of tendinopathy analyzed (p<0.05). Neovascularization decreased for each tendons at V3 and V4, except for patellar tendon at V3 V1 (p=0.125). Nevertheless, reduction at V4 compared to baseline remained significant (p=0.016). Conclusions: US-guided HA (500-730 kDa) peritendinous injections determine significant pain relief and reduction in tendon thickness and neovascularization in US evaluations. The effect of HA did not show differences regarding the site of affected tendon. The treatment proved to be safe and very well tolerated

An Open-Source Algorithm for 3D ROck Slope Kinematic Analysis (ROKA)

The Markland test is one of the most diffused and adopted methods of kinematic analysis for the identification of critical intersections of rock discontinuities that could generate rock failures. Traditionally, the kinematic analysis is based on the use of a stereographic approach that is able to identify the critical combination between the orientations of discontinuities and the rock wall. The recent improvements in the use of Digital Outcrop Models (DOMs) created the conditions for the development of a new automatized approach. We present ROck Slope Kinematic Analysis (ROKA) which is an open-source algorithm aimed at performing the Kinematic Analysis using the discontinuity measures collected onto a 3D DOM. The presented algorithm is able to make a local identification of the possible critical combination between the identified discontinuities and the orientation of the slope. Using this approach, the algorithm is able to identify on the slope the presence of critical combinations according to the traditional kinematic analysis of planar failure, flexural toppling, wedge failure, and direct toppling modes of failures and then visualize them on DOMs. In this way, the traditional approach is more effective and can be adopted for a more detailed analysis of large and complex areas