Implementation of computation codes in geostructural surveys to evaluate rock mass stability aimed at the protection of cultural heritage

Instability of rock masses is a frequent problem in Italy, which territory is naturally predisposed to a variety of geological hazards. Therefore, issues related to the study of rock masses have always been of primary importance, since their consequences directly affect human lives and the urbanized areas, causing severe losses to society. In order to identify the areas most susceptible to gravity-related phenomena in such settings, the traditional approaches are often not sufficient, and need to be integrated by new tools and techniques aimed at properly and quantitatively describe the structural arrangement of rock masses. These include the use of close range remote sensing techniques. It is now many years that various attempts have been made to standardize processes to extract volumetric shapes from digital data, in order to individuate geometrical features in point clouds and, eventually, to identify discontinuities on rock outcrops. We present an attempt to develop and experimentally implement an application of computation codes and software control via command line, to carry out geomechanical investigations on rock masses, starting from 3D surveys. The final goal is to provide reliable results on the likely instability processes in surface and underground settings, as a contribution to the mitigation of the related risks. For this aim, a novel approach is proposed: in order to combine user observation made in situ and on digital results of scanning, our attention was focused on developing nonautomatic methods, which could allow, giving a tolerance angle for both dip and dip direction, the extraction of discontinuities on well-structured datasets representing point clouds. This approach could be considered a fully supervised type of classification, because the user can specify the query by placing a numerical input representing an interval of tolerance in degrees; then, it has as output a cluster of planar surfaces belonging to the given interval for each set. The code, organized in a basic software called GEODS (alpha version), which runs on Windows operating systems, also utilizes the results to represent the rocky surfaces on charts and stereographic projections, and is able to calculate standard deviation and mean values of the classified clusters. It is useful to identify the density of each identified discontinuity and to evaluate potential kinematics as well, based on geometric relationships, through analyses carried by a skilled user. This approach was tested at the Cocceio cave, in Campania, southern Italy: this site has historical importance since the Roman age. Reused during World War II, it is now part of a redevelopment project of the Phlegraean Fields, an area renowned for its natural beauty, which includes numerous archaeological sites. At the cave, with this new method, we were able to recognize an additional set, with minor frequency than the other sets, and which was not identified during previous studies. As a final result, it is thus expected to contribute in an innovative way to the implementation of alternative and accurate methods in structural analysis and the geomechanical characterization of rock masses

1H NMR study of the interaction of trans-resveratrol with soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes

Resveratrol (RSV) is a well-known natural derivative with a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Despite of these demonstrated properties, it exhibits low both aqueous solubility and chemical stability and therefore low bioavailability. Consequently, the major concern of the technological research is to exploit delivery systems able to overcome bioavailability problems. In the recent past liposomes have been successfully studied for these purposes. In this paper, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, Nuclear Overhauser Spectroscopy (NOESY) as well as Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancements (PRE) experiments have been carried out to quantitatively investigate the incorporation of resveratrol, at both the liposome preparation stage and by preformed liposomes, also with the aim to characterize resveratrol- soybean phosphatidylcholine (P90G) lipid bilayer interactions. Overall results of 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis suggest that RSV is located nearby the phosphocholine headgroups and also provide quantitative data on the incorporation of RSV (5% w/w), which corresponds to a 150-fold increase with respect to the solubility of RSV in water. Beside, considering that the same level of RSV incorporation was obtained via spontaneous uptake by preformed P90G liposomes, it can be concluded that RSV easily diffuses through the lipid bilayer

Intraventricular liponeurocytoma: The role of surgery and adjuvant therapy

Background: After a series of case reports, in the WHO classification of 2007, liponeurocytomas were reclassified as grade II tumors and confirmed in the last WHO classification of 2016. We describe a rare case of intraventricular location of liponeurocytoma with review of the literature and propose the management of these rare lesions. Methods: We reviewed the pertinent english literature and extracted 9 articles to discuss 12 cases of intraventricular liponeurocytoma. We reported demographics and clinical data cases including our case. Results: Patients mean age is 37years. There is a male prevalence. All 12 patients underwent surgical treatment. A total tumor resection was obtained in 66,6%. There is one mortality reported due to intraventricular hemorrhage. In 4 cases K67/MIB-1 resulted 3% after subtotal removal. Keywords: Liponeurocytoma, Fourth ventricle, Ki-67 index, Neurocytom

Localidades fronteiriças: a questão da integração através da rodovia transoceânica na amazônia sul ocidental

During the investigation, the approach as na analysis unit of different forms of territorialinzing a same space by different social individuals who found themselves obliged to cohabit with the differences determined by a political-administrative boundary was searched. A reality characterized by being constantly changing, and which may have as intensive affect to the relationship of such boundary populations: the construction of the Transoceanic Road connecting Brasil to the Pacific Ocean through Peru. That Road has become a prioritary element to the Brasilian Governanment. Among the existing expectations associated to it, there are increments of certain exports, aiming an even more important marked as the Asian.Durante a investigação procurou-se a aproximação, como unidade de análise, das distintas formas de territorialização de um mesmo espaço por parte dos sujeitos sócias, que se viram obrigados a conviver com as diferenças marcadas por uma fronteira político-administrativa. Uma realidade que se caracteriza pelas constantes mudanças e que agora vive um fato, que é parte de um processo mais global, e que pode afetar intensamente as relações dessas populações fronteiriças: a construção da Rodovia Transoceânica. Essa rodovia tornou-se um elemento prioritário para o Estado brasileiro. Entre as expectativas existentes em relação à mesma estão os incrementos de determinadas exportações, visando um mercado cada vez mais importante, o asiático

Transcutol® p containing slns for improving 8-methoxypsoralen skin delivery

Topical psoralens plus ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) therapy consists in the topical application of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) followed by the skin irradiation with ultraviolet A radiation. The employment of classical 8-MOP vehicles in topical PUVA therapy is associated with poor skin deposition and weak skin permeability of psoralens, thus requiring frequent drug administration. The aim of the present work was to formulate solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) able to increase the skin permeation of 8-MOP. For this purpose, the penetration enhancer Transcutol® P (TRC) was added to the SLN formulation. SLNs were characterized with respect to size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, morphology, stability, and biocompatibility. Finally, 8-MOP skin diffusion and distribution within the skin layers was investigated using Franz cells and newborn pig skin. Freshly prepared nanoparticles showed spherical shape, mean diameters ranging between 120 and 133 nm, a fairly narrow size distribution, highly negative ζ potential values, and high entrapment efficiency. Empty and loaded formulations were almost stable over 30 days. In vitro penetration and permeation studies demonstrated a greater 8-MOP accumulation in each skin layer after SLN TRC 2% and TRC 4% application than that after SLN TRC 0% application. Finally, the results of experiments on 3T3 fibroblasts showed that the incorporation of TRC into SLNs could enhance the cellular uptake of nanoparticles, but it did not increase their cytotoxicity