Culverted rivers in the historic center of Genoa (Italy) as an emblematic case of human pressure and fluvial landscape changes

The city of Genoa is internationally known its the recurrent floods, mainly related to the Bisagno River. The high risk is linked to meteo-hydrological hazard and to the urbanisation in hazardous areas and consequently to the high exposure of risk elements. The present research concerns the hydrographic network that characterises the historical center of Genoa, i.e. the natural amphitheatre bordering the Polcevera valley to the W and the Bisagno valley to the E. In this area of just 8.5 km2 there are eight catchments ranging from 0.49 km2 to 2.36 km2 in size: from W to E we recognise the basins of the San Bartolomeo, San Lazzaro, San Teodoro, Lagaccio, Sant'Ugo, Carbonara, Sant'Anna and Torbido streams. These watercourses have been subject to anthropic modifications since the Middle Ages, sometimes with significant diversions, rectifications and channelling; today the watercourse network appears almost entirely artificial, flowing under the streets and buildings of the historic centre. The name of some alleys recalls their presence, which is otherwise not perceptible. Only the upper basin of the Lagaccio and San Lazzaro streams still have a watercourse with a natural riverbed, although the area is still significantly urbanised. The construction of these culverts over time and the modifications they have undergone over the following centuries up to very recent times due to progressive urbanisation have led to a reduction in the hydraulic cross-section, which can lead to a possible flow of water under pressure and the consequent flooding hazard. Therefore a better geographic knowledge of these culverted streams in Genoa historical city is crucial for hazard and risk assessments and for the planning of related hydraulic risk reduction activities

Przestępstwo doprowadzenia do uprawiania prostytucji (art. 203 K.K.)

Wprowadzenie. Stosownie do art. 203 polskiego k.k. z 1997 r. kto przemocą, groźbą bezprawną, podstępem lub wyzyskując stosunek zależności albo krytyczne położenie, doprowadza inną osobę do uprawiania prostytucji, podlega karze pozbawienia wolności od roku do lat 10. Ten typ czynu zabronionego nie miał bezpośredniego odpowiednika ani w k.k. z 1932 r, ani też w k.k. z 1969 r. W k.k. z 1932 r (w art. 210) penalizowane było nakłanianie innej osoby do zawodowego oddawania się nierządowi (pod groźbą kary więzienia do lat 5 i grzywny) ; podobnie ujmował to art. 174 § 1 k.k. z 1969 r. (kto nakłania inna osobę do uprawiania nierządu, podlega karze pozbawienia wolności od roku do lat 10).Wprowadzenie. Stosownie do art. 203 polskiego k.k. z 1997 r. kto przemocą, groźbą bezprawną, podstępem lub wyzyskując stosunek zależności albo krytyczne położenie, doprowadza inną osobę do uprawiania prostytucji, podlega karze pozbawienia wolności od roku do lat 10. Ten typ czynu zabronionego nie miał bezpośredniego odpowiednika ani w k.k. z 1932 r, ani też w k.k. z 1969 r. W k.k. z 1932 r (w art. 210) penalizowane było nakłanianie innej osoby do zawodowego oddawania się nierządowi (pod groźbą kary więzienia do lat 5 i grzywny) ; podobnie ujmował to art. 174 § 1 k.k. z 1969 r. (kto nakłania inna osobę do uprawiania nierządu, podlega karze pozbawienia wolności od roku do lat 10)

Preparation of particles for optical studies

Thesis (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering -- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988.Bibliography: leaves 36-39.Microfiche of typescript. [Urbana, Ill.]: Photographic Services, University of Illinois, U of I Library, [1988]. 2 microfiches (48 frames): negative

Tunable control of the hydrophilicity and wettability of conjugated polymers by a postpolymerization modification approach.

A facile method to prepare hydrophilic polymers by a postpolymerization nucleophillic aromatic substitution reaction of fluoride on an emissive conjugated polymer (CP) backbone is reported. Quantitative functionalization by a series of monofunctionalized ethylene glycol oligomers, from dimer to hexamer, as well as with high molecular weight polyethylene glycol is demonstrated. The length of the ethylene glycol sidechains is shown to have a direct impact on the surface wettability of the polymer, as well as its solubility in polar solvents. However, the energetics and band gap of the CPs remain essentially constant. This method therefore allows an easy way to modulate the wettability and solubility of CP materials for a diverse series of applications

Tailoring the Band gap and magnetic properties by Bismuth substitution in Neodymium Chromite

The intrinsic distortions present in r are earth ortho chromites (RCrO 3 ) observed from lanthanum to lutetium (in R - site) can influence the magnetic properties like Neel Transition and weak ferromagnetic coupling . A n on - magnetic cation with similar ionic radius would be a suitable candidate to engineer the inherent distortions of particular orthochromite. In this study Bismuth (Bi 3+ ) with a 6s 2 lone pair was chosen to substitute in Neodymium (Nd 3+ ) site of NdCrO 3 (NCO) to tailor the int rinsic structural distortions. Th e variation of optical absorption edge evidently suggests that Bi ( 6 s 2 ) substituted in the m agnetic rare earth Nd +3 influences the Cr - O overlap integral. Th e interaction of Bi cation with oxygen bonds influences the structural distortions through Cr - O polyhedra which are evident from Raman scattering studies . The observed structural and magnetic properties of similar ionic radius of Bi 3+ in Nd 3+ reveals that intrinsic structural distortions are interrelated to enhanced weak ferromagnetic component and change in Neel and spin reorientation temperatures in our compou nds . In addition a reduction in the optical band gap of NCO from 3.1 eV to 2. 6 eV w as observed

Perceived psychological stress and risk of herpes zoster: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress may reduce cellular immunity, but its role in triggering latent infections, including herpes zoster (HZ), is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between perceived psychological stress and risk of HZ. METHODS: In a linked registry-based cohort study, we followed 77 310 persons aged 40 years or older who participated in the 2010 Danish National Health Survey from 1 May 2010 until HZ diagnosis, death, emigration or 1 July 2014, whichever occurred first. We computed hazard ratios (HRs) of HZ associated with Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score (range 0-40) using Cox regression with age as the timescale, adjusted for sex, immunosuppressive and selected chronic conditions, immunosuppressive drugs, and sociodemographic, lifestyle and anthropometric factors. The PSS measures chronic stress perceived by an individual in response to various demands of daily life. We modelled the PSS score using quintiles and a restricted cubic spline function. RESULTS: The unadjusted rate of HZ varied from 5·53 to 7·20 per 1000 person-years from the lowest to the highest PSS score quintile. Compared with the lowest PSS score quintile, the adjusted HR for HZ was 1·00 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·86-1·16], 1·08 (95% CI 0·92-1·26), 1·05 (95% CI 0·90-1·23) and 1·14 (95% CI 0·97-1·34) for the second to the fifth quintile, respectively. In cubic spline analyses, PSS scores < 20 were not associated with increased HR of HZ, but thereafter the HR increased linearly from 1·10 (95% CI 0·85-1·41) to 2·22 (95% CI 1·32-3·75). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that high levels of psychological stress are associated with increased risk of HZ

Partner Bereavement and Detection of Dementia: A UK-Based Cohort Study Using Routine Health Data

BACKGROUND: In the UK, an estimated one third of people with dementia have not received a diagnosis. Good evidence suggests that dementia risk is increased among widowed individuals; however, it is not clear if they are being diagnosed in routine primary care. // OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate if bereavement influenced the probability of having received a dementia diagnosis. // METHODS: A population-based cohort study using UK electronic health records, between 1997 and 2017, among 247,586 opposite-sex partners. Those experiencing partner bereavement were matched (age, sex, and date of bereavement) to a non-bereaved person living in a partnership. Multivariate cox regression was performed. // RESULTS: Partner bereavement was associated with an increased risk of receiving a diagnosis of dementia in the first three months (hazard ratio (HR) 1.43, 95% CI 1.20-1.71) and first six months (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.09-1.41), while there was a small reduced risk of getting a dementia diagnosis over all follow-up (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.98). // CONCLUSIONS: Partner bereavement appears to lead to a short-term increased risk of the surviving partner receiving a diagnosis of dementia, suggesting that bereavement unmasks existing undiagnosed dementia. Over the longer term, however, bereaved individuals are less likely to have a diagnosis of dementia in their health records than non-bereaved individuals