An electromagnetic simulator for sentinel-3 sar altimeter waveforms over land part ii: forests

Forests play a crucial role in the climate change mitigation by acting as sinks for carbon and, consequently, reducing the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and slowing global warming. For this reason, above ground biomass (AGB) estimation is essential for effectively monitoring forest health around the globe. Although remote sensing–based forest AGB quantification can be pursued in different ways, in this work we discuss a new technique for vegetation observation through the use of altimetry data that has been introduced by the ESA-funded ALtimetry for BIOMass (ALBIOM) project. ALBIOM investigates the possibility of retrieving forest biomass through Copernicus Sentinel-3 Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL) measurements at Ku- and C-bands in low- and high-resolution mode. To reach this goal, a simulator able to reproduce the altimeter acquisition system and the scattering phenomena that occur in the interaction of the radar altimeter pulse with vegetated surfaces has been developed. The Tor Vergata Vegetation Scattering Model (TOVSM) developed at Tor Vergata University has been exploited to simulate the contribution from the vegetation volume via the modelling of the backscattering of forest canopy through a discrete scatterer representation. A modification of the SAVERS (Soil And Vegetation Reflection Simulator) simulator developed by the team for Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry over land has also been taken into account to simulate the soil contribution

The hair in childhood and old age

More than 20 syndromes, most congenital, have hypertrichosis as a feature. An excessive growth of non-androgen-dependent hair has been reported in association with many acquired diseases and medications, some of which, as cyclosporine, can be administered also in children. Even though primary hypertrichosis is benign in most cases, it may result in cosmetic disfigurement and psychosocial trauma; a pediatric assessment is necessary to rule out associated diseases. Lanugo hair can occur in otherwise healthy individuals but can be associated with polymyositis and neoplasms. Hirsutism can be idiopathic, but often can be associated with an adrenal or ovarian cause. Thus all women with hirsutism require careful evaluation. More, growing evidence has linked hyperandrogenism to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, genital tract neoplasms, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. An application from the study of hairs comes from oligoelements. A recent study investigating the zinc status of eighty newborn babies with neural tube defects and their mothers compared with controls found a positive association between this defects and decreased hair zinc levels. As far it concerns the color of hairs our group has demonstrated that heterochromia of the scalp hair can be a sign of pigmentary mosaicism even without underlying malformations. The present elucidation of pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia has lead to second generation steroidal 5\u3b1 reductase inhibitors, such as G-198745 (a combined type 1 and type 2, 5\u3b1 reductase blocker), W09704002, Turosteride, Mk-963, MK-434, Episteride, and MK-386. A variety of non-steroidal inhibitors such as zinc and saw palmetto are also under investigation. The possibility of gene therapy for androgenetic alopecia has been advanced in animal by the development of a cream capable to deliver DNA to hair follicles. Finally, the study of the stem cells of the hair follicle will give us new possibilities of treatment

Innovative therapeutics in pediatric dermatology

Although clinical trials for new drugs are often limited in children because of safety concerns or restrictions, new therapies or novel strategies with old drugs have recently expanded dermatologic armamentarium for pediatric patients. Oral propranolol is currently the first choice in the treatment of alarming infantile hemangiomas. In atopic dermatitis, proactive strategy with topical calcineurin inhibitors can safely prevent disease exacerbation. Tacrolimus, in particular, is also useful for the treatment of vitiligo occurring in sensitive areas such as the eyelids. Among biologic drugs, use of etanercept is safe and efficient in children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Engineered tissues with special antimicrobial properties (silver-coated fabrics or engineered silk) are now used to treat eczema and fungal diseases in children. In athlete's foot, the use of 5-finger socks can also be helpful

Magnetic resonance imaging application in infantile hemangiomas and vascular malformations

Aim. The aim of this paper was to review the role of modern diagnostic imaging in the evaluation of patients with vascular anomalies: hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Methods. We have analyzed 20 pediatric patients using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the magnetic resonance angiography. For each pathology, we have compared the literature findings with our clinical cases. Results. MRI leaves some doubts in the diagnosis of 2 types of lesions. The first type concerns the high-flow lesions: in this case the differential diagnosis among a small arteriovenous fistula, a hemangioma in the proliferation phase, a venous malformation with high feeding arteries and an arteriovenous malformation in the preclinical phase can be impossible. The second type concerns the low-flow lesions, in which the diagnosis of combined vascular malformations such as venolymphatic malformations can be very difficult. Conclusion. Nowadays, MRI is the best technology in order to provide information about type, location and extension of this type of lesions. It is not invasive neither dangerous, does not require the use of ionizing radiations, and presents minimum disadvantages as sedation. Nevertheless, MRI alone is not sufficient to provide the necessary informations for the diagnosis and treatment of all vascular anomalies