Multi-station Ground-based Real-aperture Radar for Quasi-static Deformation Measurement

Ground-based Real-aperture Radar (GBRAR) has been applied in recent years for the dynamic analysis of civil constructions. The same technology could be also exploited for the high-precision quasi-static deformation measurement. Unfortunately, in this modality GBRAR still suffers from important drawbacks (accurate repositioning for long-term monitoring, target ambiguity, mitigation of atmospheric effects) which make its application less competitive w.r.t. other techniques. After reviewing a set of experiments to evaluate the instrumental performances of IBIS-S sensor by former IDS Sistemi Italian company, a solution based on the use of multiple stations (‘stereo-radar’) is discussed. This approach may help discriminate target ambiguity and improve the geometric definition of spatial displacements. ‘Stereo-radar’ is based on the use of at least two GBRAR sensors to work concurrently to monitor quasi-static observations. Here a preliminary test to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique is reported

Exposure to outdoor air pollution and risk of hospitalization for bronchiolitis in an urban environment: A 9-year observational study

Background: Outdoor air pollution is supposed to influence the course of bronchiolitis, but the evidence is limited. The present study aimed at evaluating the role of outdoor air pollutants on hospitalization for bronchiolitis. Methods: Infants aged ≤12 months referred for bronchiolitis to our Pediatric Emergency Department in Bologna, Italy, from 1 October 2011 to 16 March 2020 (nine epidemic seasons) were retrospectively included. Daily concentrations of benzene (C6H6), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), and ≤10 μm (PM10), and the mean values of individual patient exposure in the week and the 4 weeks before hospital access were calculated. The association between air pollutants exposure and hospitalization was evaluated through logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 2902 patients were enrolled (59.9% males; 38.7% hospitalized). Exposure to PM2.5 in the 4 weeks preceding bronchiolitis was identified as the main parameter significantly driving the risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.055 [1.010–1.102]). After stratifying by season, higher values of other outdoor air pollutants were found to significantly affect hospitalization: 4-week exposure to C6H6 (Season 2011–2012, 4.090 [1.184–14.130]) and PM2.5 (Season 2017–2018, 1.282 [1.032–1.593]), and 1-week exposure to C6H6 (Season 2012–2013, 6.193 [1.552–24.710]), NO2 (Season 2013–2014, 1.064 [1.009–1.122]), PM2.5 (Season 2013–2014, 1.080 [1.023–1.141]), and PM10 (Season 2018–2019, 1.102 [0.991–1.225]). Conclusion: High levels of PM2.5, C6H6, NO2, and PM10 may increase the risk of hospitalization in children affected by bronchiolitis. Open-air exposure of infants during rush hours and in the most polluted areas should be avoided

Mapas de contorno da capacidade de água disponível em solo cultivado com videiras irrigadas

A delimitação de zonas homogêneas, quanto aos valores da capacidade de água disponível (CAD) no solo, pode auxiliar o manejo da água na profundidade efetiva das raízes das plantas, tanto pelo conhecimento da extensão dessas zonas em uma área cultivada, como pela possibilidade de realizar um manejo diferenciado da irrigação, quanto ao momento e quantidade de água a ser aplicada. Em vista disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a estrutura de dependência espacial da CAD de um Neossolo Quartzarênico, cultivado com videiras irrigadas por microaspersão, nas profundidades de 0-0,20 m e 0,20- 0,40 m; e, no caso de dependência espacial, confeccionar os mapas de contorno dos valores de CAD, para ambas as profundidades, usando o interpolador geoestatístico krigagem. Em 2006, foi estabelecida uma malha retangular de 14 x 12 pontos (168 pontos em cada profundidade), totalizando 336 amostras de solo, nas quais foram determinados os valores do conteúdo de água no solo referentes a capacidade de campo e ao ponto de murcha permanente, e calculados os valores de CAD. Logo após, foi feita a análise exploratória de cada conjunto de dados por meio da estatística clássica e, em seguida, a estrutura de dependência espacial de cada variável (CAD na profundidade de 0-0,20 m e CAD de 0,20-0,40 m) foi analisada por meio da técnica de Geoestatística, possibilitando a elaboração dos mapas de contorno. Resultados mostram que os dados de capacidade de água disponível, em ambas as profundidades, seguem a distribuição normal, segundo o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov aos níveis de 10%, 5% e 1% de probabilidade. Os valores de CAD na profundidade de 0-0,20 m apresentaram uma estrutura de dependência espacial (com alcance real de 6,45 m), tornando possível a construção do mapa de contorno, por meio do interpolador geoestatístico krigagem, e a identificação das zonas homogêneas. Já os valores de CAD referentes a profundidade de 0,20-0,40 m apresentaram um semivariograma sem patamar, não sendo possível a construção do mapa de contorno por meio deste interpolador, necessitando, desta forma, um estudo mais aprofundado do comportamento da CAD nesta profundidade

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 controls TNF-alpha translation in LPS-induced hepatitis

Bacterial LPS (endotoxin) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute liver disease through its induction of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha is a key determinant of the outcome in a well-established mouse model of acute liver failure during septic shock. One possible mechanism for regulating TNF-alpha expression is through the control of protein elongation during translation, which would allow rapid cell adaptation to physiological changes. However, the regulation of translational elongation is poorly understood. We found that expression of p38gamma/delta MAPK proteins is required for the elongation of nascent TNF-alpha protein in macrophages. The MKK3/6-p38gamma/delta pathway mediated an inhibitory phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) kinase, which in turn promoted eEF2 activation (dephosphorylation) and subsequent TNF-alpha elongation. These results identify a new signaling pathway that regulates TNF-alpha production in LPS-induced liver damage and suggest potential cell-specific therapeutic targets for liver diseases in which TNF-alpha production is involved