Valuation to Foster-up Landscape Preservation. Treasuring New Elements through Landscape Planning

Objective. This research aims to drown up guidelines and a methodological approach for natural cultural heritage preservation and landscape planning in order to support the setting up and the enforcement of new policies to mitigate paysage destruction and soil consumption.Methodological Steps. The first step is the detection of “landscape values” in the territories.The second step is to provide georeferenced information in a double geographic and valuation systemThe third step is the Multi Criteria Analysis valuation of categories and sub-categories of paysage resources in order to classify the landscape elements in each category.Case Study. The framework and the methodology have been tested in a real world case study located in one of the most amazing area of Southern Italy.Outcomes. The outcome is an extensive survey of the paysage, classification, and valuation. A multi-dimensional valuation procedure has established a priority classification. Planned interventions should be dictated by resource ranking and hierarchy in the classifications described below: the safeguarding of the elements of greatest value; the preservation of the elements of great value; the ecological conservation of medium valued elements. La valutazione per promuovere la tutela dei paesaggi. Valorizzare nuovi elementi con la pianificazione paesaggisticaObiettivo. Il contributo ha l’obiettivo di delineare le linee guida e un approccio metodologico per la valorizzazione del paessaggio e la pianificazione di politiche per mitigare la distruzione dei valori paesaggistici provocata dal continuo consumo di suolo agricolo, forestale, naturale.Metodologia. Prima tappa è l’individuazione dei valori paesaggistici nei territori.Seconda tappa è il geo riferimento dei dati sia nel sistema informativo geografico, sia nel sistema valutativo.Terza tappa è la valutazione paesaggistica a Criteri Multipli Di elementi e la loro classificazione gerarchica.Case Study. La Strategia e la Metodologia sono state testate in Casi di Studio applicate ad alcune delle più suggestive aree paesaggistiche dell’Italia Meridionale.Risultati. I risultati sono esteso censimento totale, tassonomia, valutazione dei valori paesaggistici. La classificazione gerarchica dei valori è elaborata con la multi criteria valuation. Ne consegue una gerarchia e gradualità di tutele sintetizzata come segue (a soli fini esemplificativi): protezione elementi con massimi valori paesaggistici; tutela elementi con buoni valori paesaggistici; conservazione elementi con medi valori paesaggistici.Objective. This research aims to drown up guidelines and a methodological approach for natural cultural heritage preservation and landscape planning in order to support the setting up and the enforcement of new policies to mitigate paysage destruction and soil consumption.Methodological Steps. The first step is the detection of “landscape values” in the territories.The second step is to provide georeferenced information in a double geographic and valuation systemThe third step is the Multi Criteria Analysis valuation of categories and sub-categories of paysage resources in order to classify the landscape elements in each category.Case Study. The framework and the methodology have been tested in a real world case study located in one of the most amazing area of Southern Italy.Outcomes. The outcome is an extensive survey of the paysage, classification, and valuation. A multi-dimensional valuation procedure has established a priority classification. Planned interventions should be dictated by resource ranking and hierarchy in the classifications described below: the safeguarding of the elements of greatest value; the preservation of the elements of great value; the ecological conservation of medium valued elements. La valutazione per promuovere la tutela dei paesaggi. Valorizzare nuovi elementi con la pianificazione paesaggisticaObiettivo. Il contributo ha l’obiettivo di delineare le linee guida e un approccio metodologico per la valorizzazione del paessaggio e la pianificazione di politiche per mitigare la distruzione dei valori paesaggistici provocata dal continuo consumo di suolo agricolo, forestale, naturale.Metodologia. Prima tappa è l’individuazione dei valori paesaggistici nei territori.Seconda tappa è il geo riferimento dei dati sia nel sistema informativo geografico, sia nel sistema valutativo.Terza tappa è la valutazione paesaggistica a Criteri Multipli Di elementi e la loro classificazione gerarchica.Case Study. La Strategia e la Metodologia sono state testate in Casi di Studio applicate ad alcune delle più suggestive aree paesaggistiche dell’Italia Meridionale.Risultati. I risultati sono esteso censimento totale, tassonomia, valutazione dei valori paesaggistici. La classificazione gerarchica dei valori è elaborata con la multi criteria valuation. Ne consegue una gerarchia e gradualità di tutele sintetizzata come segue (a soli fini esemplificativi): protezione elementi con massimi valori paesaggistici; tutela elementi con buoni valori paesaggistici; conservazione elementi con medi valori paesaggistici

Building Efficiency Adopting Ecological Materials and Bio Architecture Techniques

Objective. There are many measures that individual consumers, families, companies, contractors, real estate developers, household owners and governments can take to promote post-carbon cities. Thermal insulation is definitely one of the most important investment to make in order to achieve these future goals. Method and solutions   Insulation can be carried out by using ecological cork panels. Cork is a natural and renewable material, which in itself, is the result of a CO2 sequestration, and it can also store C. Therefore it can effectively contribute to the design of the Post-Carbon City by reducing energy waste, improving the quality and the insulation of buildings.The expansion of the area occupied by the cork oak forests would permanently increase the absorption and sequestration of carbon. Forest policy guidelines must aim at the restoration of the existing cork oak forests, as well as the rehabilitation of cork oak forests destroyed by man. This will increase and strengthen the contribution made by forest resources to the construction of the Post Carbon City.Outcomes and benefits   Some benefits of such policy are as follows: the sequestration of CO2 eliminated from the atmosphere (creating carbon credits), because it is used for the growth of trees and the creation of cork bark; the availability of cork planks which are the raw material for bio-building; the positive consequences of using cork panels and granules in Bio Green Buildings, such as energy saving for heating and cooling and the consequent reduction of CO2  emissions. Risparmio energetico negli edifici mediante adozione di eco materiali e tecniche di Bio EdiliziaObiettivo. L’obiettivo di ridurre i sovra consumi energetici negli edifici e promuovere le città post-carbone può essere raggiunto adottando diverse misure ad opera di individui, famiglie, imprese, costruttori, promotori immobiliari, governi. L’isolamento termico degli edifici, o “passivazione” risulta essere uno dei più importanti investimenti per raggiungere questi risultati.Metodi e soluzioni.L’isolamento termico (o “passivazione”) può essere realizzato con pannelli di sughero. Il sughero è un materiale naturale e rinnovabile. Esso stesso è il risultato della eliminazione (sequestration) della CO2 . Non solo, è un depositi di C. Può quindi efficacemente contribuire a realizzare concretamente la Post Carbon City migliorando l’ isolamento e la qualità degli edifici ed eliminando lo spreco di energia. Ampliare le aree occupate da sugherete aumenta in modo permanente l’assorbimento e la eliminazione definitivo ovvero il sequestro della CO2 . Per questa ragione la policy urbana può essere integrata con la policy ambientale e forestale, propugnando il restauro delle sugherete esistenti e il re impianto di quelle compromesse dall’azione antropica. In tal modo si rafforza il contributo natura-based alla costruzione della Post Carbon City. Risultati e beneficiSolo alcuni dei primi benefici derivanti dalla policy integrata natura-based sopra sintetizzata: la  CO2  non solo si sequestra e si elimina dall’atmosfera ma addirittura viene utilizzata dalle sughere per crescere e per produrre il sughero;si rendono disponibili nuovi quantitativi di sughero grezzo, come materia prima versatile; utilizzando i lavorati per la passivazione dei Bio Edifici Verdi, non solo si risparmia significativamente energia, ma anche si abbattono le conseguenti emissioni di  CO2.Objective. There are many measures that individual consumers, families, companies, contractors, real estate developers, household owners and governments can take to promote post-carbon cities. Thermal insulation is definitely one of the most important investment to make in order to achieve these future goals. Method and solutions   Insulation can be carried out by using ecological cork panels. Cork is a natural and renewable material, which in itself, is the result of a CO2 sequestration, and it can also store C. Therefore it can effectively contribute to the design of the Post-Carbon City by reducing energy waste, improving the quality and the insulation of buildings.The expansion of the area occupied by the cork oak forests would permanently increase the absorption and sequestration of carbon. Forest policy guidelines must aim at the restoration of the existing cork oak forests, as well as the rehabilitation of cork oak forests destroyed by man. This will increase and strengthen the contribution made by forest resources to the construction of the Post Carbon City.Outcomes and benefits   Some benefits of such policy are as follows: the sequestration of CO2 eliminated from the atmosphere (creating carbon credits), because it is used for the growth of trees and the creation of cork bark; the availability of cork planks which are the raw material for bio-building; the positive consequences of using cork panels and granules in Bio Green Buildings, such as energy saving for heating and cooling and the consequent reduction of CO2  emissions. Risparmio energetico negli edifici mediante adozione di eco materiali e tecniche di Bio EdiliziaObiettivo. L’obiettivo di ridurre i sovra consumi energetici negli edifici e promuovere le città post-carbone può essere raggiunto adottando diverse misure ad opera di individui, famiglie, imprese, costruttori, promotori immobiliari, governi. L’isolamento termico degli edifici, o “passivazione” risulta essere uno dei più importanti investimenti per raggiungere questi risultati.Metodi e soluzioni.L’isolamento termico (o “passivazione”) può essere realizzato con pannelli di sughero. Il sughero è un materiale naturale e rinnovabile. Esso stesso è il risultato della eliminazione (sequestration) della CO2 . Non solo, è un depositi di C. Può quindi efficacemente contribuire a realizzare concretamente la Post Carbon City migliorando l’ isolamento e la qualità degli edifici ed eliminando lo spreco di energia. Ampliare le aree occupate da sugherete aumenta in modo permanente l’assorbimento e la eliminazione definitivo ovvero il sequestro della CO2 . Per questa ragione la policy urbana può essere integrata con la policy ambientale e forestale, propugnando il restauro delle sugherete esistenti e il re impianto di quelle compromesse dall’azione antropica. In tal modo si rafforza il contributo natura-based alla costruzione della Post Carbon City. Risultati e beneficiSolo alcuni dei primi benefici derivanti dalla policy integrata natura-based sopra sintetizzata: la CO2  non solo si sequestra e si elimina dall’atmosfera ma addirittura viene utilizzata dalle sughere per crescere e per produrre il sughero;si rendono disponibili nuovi quantitativi di sughero grezzo, come materia prima versatile; utilizzando i lavorati per la passivazione dei Bio Edifici Verdi, non solo si risparmia significativamente energia, ma anche si abbattono le conseguenti emissioni di CO2

In situ formation and size control of gold nanoparticles into chitosan for nanocomposite surfaces with tailored wettability.

The in situ formation of gold nanoparticles into the natural polymer chitosan is described upon pulsed laser irradiation. In particular, hydrogel-type films of chitosan get loaded with the gold precursor, chloroauric acid salt (HAuCl4), by immersion in its aqueous solution. After the irradiation of this system with increasing number of ultraviolet laser pulses, we observe the formation of gold nanoparticles with increasing density and decreasing size. Analytical studies using absorption measurements, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the nanocomposite samples throughout the irradiation procedure reveal that under the specific irradiation conditions there are two competing mechanisms responsible for the nanoparticles production: the photoreduction of the precursor responsible for the rising growth of gold particles with increasing size and the subsequent photofragmentation of these particles into smaller ones. The described method allows the loca..

Predictive markers of bronchial hyperreactivity in a large cohort of young adults With cough variant asthma

Cough variant asthma (CVA), a common asthma phenotype characterized by nonproductive cough and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), is usually detected by bronchial provocation tests (BPTs) which are time-consuming, expensive, and unsafe. The primary study objective was to provide proof of concept for the use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), eosinophil count percentage in induced sputum (sEOS%), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75%) % predicted value, and FEF25–75% z-scores as surrogate markers predicting BHR in young adults with suspected CVA; the secondary objective was to compare the diagnostic performance of the various techniques. Three hundred and ten subjects (median age 24 years) were included in a cross-sectional study. Subjects were characterized as BHR positive (POS) (n 147) or BHR negative (NEG) (n 163) according to methacholine BPT. Classification accuracies were expressed as areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUC). Compared with BHR NEG, FEF25–75% % predicted value and FEF25–75% z-scores were lower in the BHR POS group (p < 0.001), whereas FENO (p < 0.001) and sEOS% were higher (p < 0.001). AUC values for detecting BHR were as follows: FENO, 0.98 (SD 0.02); sEOS%, 0.98 (SD 0.02); FEF25–75% % pred, 0.93 (SD 0.05); FEF25–75% z scores, 0.92 (SD 0.05). Optimal cutoff values (OCV) for BHR prediction were as follows: FENO, 32.7 ppb (sensitivity 0.93, specificity 0.96), sEOS %, 3.80% (sensitivity 0.94, specificity 0.94), FEF25–75% % predicted value, 80.0% (sensitivity 0.90, specificity 0.87), and FEF25–75% z-score, −0.87 (sensitivity 0.89, specificity 0.87). Non-invasive/semi-invasive airway inflammatory or small airway functional measures might be used as surrogate markers predicting BHR in young adults with suspected CV

VALUTAZIONE DELLA QUALITÀ PAESAGGISTICA. INDIVIDUAZIONE DI UNITÀ ED ELEMENTI DI PAESAGGIO

Pollution, environmental disruption, oversized urban development and infrastructure new construction jeopardize landscape integrity and people’s quality of life. Research deals with the landscape protection and enhancement providing governments and decision makers with a comprehensive Decision Support System to assess the quality of natural and cultural heritage and address planning measures and policy actions for landscape treasuring. Research set-up a methodology relying upon GIS tools, to spatially discover, detect and define landscape units, so called “Landscape Elements” (“Elementi di Paesaggio”, EdP), along with their endowment such as natural, ecological,historic, cultural, and urban resources. Then evaluate them through a Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) tool set-up by the research team and integrated with a GIS. Research developed a Case Study in the European Mediterranean Basin, validating the whole census system and the performance and support of valuation tools. Results achieved open the possibility to generalize the prototype application at the regional, country and federation levels and therefore support the planning implementation for landscape enhancement.DOI: http://dx.medra.org/10.19254/LaborEst.09.1

Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Lessons learned from acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrotic lung disease characterized by progressive loss of lung function and poor prognosis. The so-called acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF) may lead to severe hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). AE-IPF shares several pathophysiological features with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a very severe condition commonly treated in this setting. A review of the literature has been conducted to underline similarities and differences in the management of patients with AE-IPF and ARDS. During AE-IPF, diffuse alveolar damage and massive loss of aeration occurs, similar to what is observed in patients with ARDS. Differently from ARDS, no studies have yet concluded on the optimal ventilatory strategy and management in AE-IPF patients admitted to the ICU. Notwithstanding, a protective ventilation strategy with low tidal volume and low driving pressure could be recommended similarly to ARDS. The beneficial effect of high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure and prone positioning has still to be elucidated in AE-IPF patients, as well as the precise role of other types of respiratory assistance (e.g., extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) or innovative therapies (e.g., polymyxin-B direct hemoperfusion). The use of systemic drugs such as steroids or immunosuppressive agents in AE-IPF is controversial and potentially associated with an increased risk of serious adverse reactions. Common pathophysiological abnormalities and similar clinical needs suggest translating to AE-IPF the lessons learned from the management of ARDS patients. Studies focused on specific therapeutic strategies during AE-IPF are warranted

VALUTAZIONE COMPARATIVA ENERGETICA DEGLI EDIFICI, PER LA CITTÀ POST CARBON

Mankind is facing the extreme risk of Planet ecological crisis caused by global warming, a consequence of severe climate change on the Earth, originated by fossil energy over burning and consequent pollution. Key goal in Agenda for Sustainability is to reduce fossil energy consumption specially in civil sectors: residential, commercial and public buildings. Effective strategy is to increase the efficiency of buildings that must be quantitatively measured by Energy Performance Simulation Programs. EPSPs are the tools to valuate both energy performance as well as impact of sustainable works devoted to increase building energy efficiency i.e “building bio ecological energy retrofitting”. In the research two different buildings or prototypes have been designed in order to simulate: adoption of the work for “building bio ecological energy retrofitting”; against their failure to adopt them. The research carried valuated and proved in quantitative terms that the adoption of “building bio ecological energy retrofitting” creates significant saving and a measurable positive difference in the energy and ecological management of alternative buildings

Single Inhaler LABA/LAMA for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disabling disease characterized by progressive airflow obstruction. Great efforts were spent in the development of drugs able to improve symptoms, quality of life, reduce exacerbations, hospitalizations and the frequency of death of patients with COPD. The cornerstones of treatment are bronchodilator drugs of two different classes: beta agonists and muscarinic antagonists. Currently the Global initiative for COPD suggests the use of long acting beta agonists (LABAs) and long acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) in combination for the majority of COPD patients, thus great interest is associated with the developing of LAMA/LABA fixed combination in the maintenance treatment of stable COPD. Many LAMA/LABA fixed dose combinations have been licensed in different countries and the clinical use of these drugs stimulated the performance of many clinical trials. The purpose of this review is a complete criticism of pharmacological and clinical aspects related to the use of LAMA/LABA single inhalers for the maintenance treatment of stable COPD, with particular mention to the most debated topics and future prospects in the field