The value of experimental models in the prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is still a serious medical problem. It not only carries significant mortality during the actual period of endocardial infection, but causes morbidity that may persist beyond the duratio

Comparative Studies of Fluoroquinolones in the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections

The results of comparative trials of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) were reviewed. Severalrandomized, comparative trials showedthat in uncomplicatedUTI norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin wereat least as effectiveas trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) and amoxicillinand usually more effectivethan nalidixicacid, pipemidic acid, and nitrofurantoin. Comparativetrials of single-dose regimens have, however, beenlimited. A few randomized, comparative trials have shown that in complicated UTI norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin wereat least as effectiveas amoxicillinand TMP-SMZand usually more effective than pipemidic acid. Moreover, preliminary results indicate that fluoroquinolones might be effective for the oral treatment of complicated UTI that are difficult to treat, especially those due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Comparative trials are neededto establish the value of fluoroquinolones for chronic bacterial prostatitis. There are no conclusivedata on fluoroquinolone treatment of UTI in patients with renal failure. Emergence of resistantpathogensduring therapywith fluoroquinolones has beeninfrequentbut might be more frequent in complicated UTI caused by P. aeruginos

Comparative Studies of Fluoroquinolones in the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections

The results of comparative trials of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) were reviewed. Severalrandomized, comparative trials showedthat in uncomplicatedUTI norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin wereat least as effectiveas trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) and amoxicillinand usually more effectivethan nalidixicacid, pipemidic acid, and nitrofurantoin. Comparativetrials of single-dose regimens have, however, beenlimited. A few randomized, comparative trials have shown that in complicated UTI norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin wereat least as effectiveas amoxicillinand TMP-SMZand usually more effective than pipemidic acid. Moreover, preliminary results indicate that fluoroquinolones might be effective for the oral treatment of complicated UTI that are difficult to treat, especially those due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Comparative trials are neededto establish the value of fluoroquinolones for chronic bacterial prostatitis. There are no conclusivedata on fluoroquinolone treatment of UTI in patients with renal failure. Emergence of resistantpathogensduring therapywith fluoroquinolones has beeninfrequentbut might be more frequent in complicated UTI caused by P. aeruginosa

UAV surveying for a complete mapping and documentation of archaeological findings. The early Neolithic site of Portonovo

The huge potential of 3D digital acquisition techniques for the documentation of archaeological sites, as well as the related findings, is almost well established. In spite of the variety of available techniques, a sole documentation pipeline cannot be defined a priori because of the diversity of archaeological settings. Stratigraphic archaeological excavations, for example, require a systematic, quick and low cost 3D single-surface documentation because the nature of stratigraphic archaeology compels providing documentary evidence of any excavation phase. Only within a destructive process each single excavation cannot be identified, documented and interpreted and this implies the necessity of a re- examination of the work on field. In this context, this paper describes the methodology, carried out during the last years, to 3D document the Early Neolithic site of Portonovo (Ancona, Italy) and, in particular, its latest step consisting in a photogrammetric aerial survey by means of UAV platform. It completes the previous research delivered in the same site by means of terrestrial laser scanning and close range techniques and sets out different options for further reflection in terms of site coverage, resolution and campaign cost. With the support of a topographic network and a unique reference system, the full documentation of the site is managed in order to detail each excavation phase; besides, the final output proves how the 3D digital methodology can be completely integrated with reasonable costs during the excavation and used to interpret the archaeological context. Further contribution of this work is the comparison between several acquisition techniques (i.e. terrestrial and aerial), which could be useful as decision support system for different archaeological scenarios. The main objectives of the comparison are: i) the evaluation of 3D mapping accuracy from different data sources, ii) the definition of a standard pipeline for different archaeological needs and iii) the provision of different level of detail according to the user need

A GEODATABASE FOR MULTISOURCE DATA MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO CULTURAL HERITAGE: THE CASE STUDY OF VILLA BUONACCORSI'S HISTORICAL GARDEN

Abstract. In recent years, the digitization of historical data related to the architectural heritage and the development of ICT-based methodologies applied to cultural goods have become increasingly relevant. In this context, the use of GIS (Geographical Information System) is growing significantly, with the aim of collecting, analysing and managing heterogeneous data in a spatial context. Given such premise, the site identified for this case-study is a historical Italian Garden into the Villa Buonaccorsi in Potenza Picena (MC, Italy). The project aims at creating a methodology, that organizing natural and artificial elements in the GIS, to support management and planning of this landscape architecture, considering also the changes during the time. A suitable GIS can promote and ensure a correct use of the heritage knowledge, preserving the historical identity, overlaying the data. The data management system, specifically developed for this case, is based on an open source GIS, where surveyed data coming from different sources and the relation to the attributes have been descripted in a conceptual model. The inventory of this geodatabase, in a dedicated GIS, has allowed to perform some queries, making in output a dialogue box with all the information, in form of report, useful to the manager of a historical garden. The structure of the GIS can significantly to help who works with similar cases and it can be useful for analysis, management, storage and integration of information related to Italian gardens.</p

Identifying the use of a park based on clusters of visitors' movements from mobile phone data

none6noPlanning urban parks is a burdensome task, requiring knowledge of countless variables that are impossible to consider all at the same time. One of these variables is the set of people who use the parks. Despite information and communication technologies being a valuable source of data, a standardized method which enables landscape planners to use such information to design urban parks is still broadly missing. The objective of this study is to design an approach that can identify how an urban green park is used by its visitors in order to provide planners and the managing authorities with a standardized method. The investigation was conducted by exploiting tracking data from an existing mobile application developed for Cardeto Park, an urban green area in the heart of the old town of Ancona, Italy. A trajectory clustering algorithm is used to infer the most common trajectories of visitors, exploiting global positioning system and sensor-based tracks. The data used are made publicly available in an open dataset, which is the first one based on real data in this field. On the basis of these user-generated data, the proposed datadriven approach can determine the mission of the park by processing visitors' trajectories whilst using a mobile application specifically designed for this purpose. The reliability of the clustering method has also been confirmed by an additional statistical analysis. This investigation reveals other important user behavioral patterns or trends.openPierdicca R.; Paolanti M.; Vaira R.; Marcheggiani E.; Malinverni E.S.; Frontoni E.Pierdicca, R.; Paolanti, M.; Vaira, R.; Marcheggiani, E.; Malinverni, E. S.; Frontoni, E

Predictors of Endocarditis in Isolates from Cultures of Blood Following Dental Extractions in Rats with Periodontal Disease

Rats with periodontitis and catheter-induced aortic valve vegetations underwent dental extractions. Cultures of blood obtained 1 min later showed polymicrobial bacteremia in 19 of 19 rats, mostly due to viridans streptococci (18 of 19), Morganella (15 of 19), group G streptococci (13 of 19), and Staphylococcus aureus (10 of 19). Viridans streptococci circulated in higher numbers than did group G streptococci and S. aureus (P < .01). Three days after dental extractions, 18 of 20 rats had endocarditis. Fifteen (83%) of 18 infections were due to group G streptococci, 9 (50%) of 18 were due to S. aureus, and 2 (11%) of 18 were due to viridans streptococci (P < .05). In vitro, adherence to platelet-fibrin matrices of endocarditis strain 8 of group G streptococcus was two times greater than that of endocarditis strain S. aureus 23 and three to four times greater than that of Streptococcus sanguis 44 and Morganella morganii 93 (P < 10−5). The inoculum size that produced endocarditis in 90% of rats after iv challenge was 105 cfu for group G streptococcus strain 8 and 107 for S. sanguis 4

HBIM IMPLEMENTATION for AN OTTOMAN MOSQUE. CASE of STUDY: SULTAN MEHMET FATIH II MOSQUE in KOSOVO

none5noNational Strategy For Cultural Heritage 2017-2027 is a Kosovo Government document that aims the enhancement of the system for the protection and preservation of Kosovan cultural heritage. Among the listed goals, one can find the promotion of an integrated data management approach towards cooperation platforms that involve advanced technologies and information systems applied to cultural heritage. In a country with a low technological progress, as Kosovo is, an innovative information management system like HBIM is a huge challenge. This research contributes in opening the debate about the use of HBIM even for historical architecture, illustrating a methodology of information management promoting the conservation and the valorization of a Kosovan ottoman mosque. The workflow pipeline started with the close range photogrammetric survey, obtaining first spherical panoramas and then the wire-frame processed in a 3D modelling environment, suitable to implement the HBIM project. Basing on the accuracy of the data acquisition, the availability of information about the building and the related level of knowledge, we proposed a semantic representation of the complex structure integrating in an HBIM collecting in an "ad hoc" database the geometrical building components, enriched with attributes as images, materials, decay, interventions, etc., linked to each features. Our approach is an example of how efficient semantic classification can be repeated for the analysis and the documentation of other similar ottoman mosque, simplifying the management of construction by a sort of unique and searchable archive. The advantage of the interoperability concept allows the data sharing is now stressed by HBIM.openDi Stefano F.; Malinverni E.S.; Pierdicca R.; Fangi G.; Ejupi S.Di Stefano, F.; Malinverni, E. S.; Pierdicca, R.; Fangi, G.; Ejupi, S

HBIM IMPLEMENTATION FOR AN OTTOMAN MOSQUE. CASE OF STUDY: SULTAN MEHMET FATIH II MOSQUE IN KOSOVO

Abstract. National Strategy For Cultural Heritage 2017–2027 is a Kosovo Government document that aims the enhancement of the system for the protection and preservation of Kosovan cultural heritage. Among the listed goals, one can find the promotion of an integrated data management approach towards cooperation platforms that involve advanced technologies and information systems applied to cultural heritage. In a country with a low technological progress, as Kosovo is, an innovative information management system like HBIM is a huge challenge. This research contributes in opening the debate about the use of HBIM even for historical architecture, illustrating a methodology of information management promoting the conservation and the valorization of a Kosovan ottoman mosque. The workflow pipeline started with the close range photogrammetric survey, obtaining first spherical panoramas and then the wire-frame processed in a 3D modelling environment, suitable to implement the HBIM project. Basing on the accuracy of the data acquisition, the availability of information about the building and the related level of knowledge, we proposed a semantic representation of the complex structure integrating in an HBIM collecting in an "ad hoc" database the geometrical building components, enriched with attributes as images, materials, decay, interventions, etc., linked to each features. Our approach is an example of how efficient semantic classification can be repeated for the analysis and the documentation of other similar ottoman mosque, simplifying the management of construction by a sort of unique and searchable archive. The advantage of the interoperability concept allows the data sharing is now stressed by HBIM.</p