Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Debris Survey in Coastal Areas: Long-Term Monitoring Programme to Study Spatial and Temporal Accumulation of the Dynamics of Beached Marine Litter

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming increasingly accessible tools with widespread use as environmental monitoring systems. They can be used for anthropogenic marine debris survey, a recently growing research field. In fact, while the increasing efforts for offshore investigations lead to a considerable collection of data on this type of pollution in the open sea, there is still little knowledge of the materials deposited along the coasts and the mechanism that leads to their accumulation pattern. UAVs can be effective in bridging this gap by increasing the amount of data acquired to study coastal deposits, while also limiting the anthropogenic impact in protected areas. In this study, UAVs have been used to acquire geo-referenced RGB images in a selected zone of a protected marine area (the Migliarino, Massacciuccoli, and San Rossore park near Pisa, Italy), during a long-term (ten months) monitoring programme. A post processing system based on visual interpretation of the images allows the localization and identification of the anthropogenic marine debris within the scanned area, and the estimation of their spatial and temporal distribution in different zones of the beach. These results provide an opportunity to investigate the dynamics of accumulation over time, suggesting that our approach might be appropriate for monitoring and collecting such data in isolated, and especially in protected, areas with significant benefits for different types of stakeholders

Segmentation of lung fields in digital chest radiographs by artificial neural networks

Lung field segmentation is a basic step for virtually any quantitative procedure. In this view, due to the imaging process and the complexity of the imaged district, an efficient use of prior anatomical knowledge is crucial. In this report we describe a new approach to lung field segmentation which is based on fuzzy boundary modeling and a neural network architecture including supervised multilayer networks and topology preserving maps

Mapping of Yucca gloriosa invasion along Mediterranean coastal dunes using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) are defined as those species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural distribution can threaten the biological diversity of an ecosystem. They represent a severe threat to biodiversity and can severely alter the performance of crucial ecosystems such as coastal dunes. Coastal dunes are composed of specialized fauna and flora, converting them into strategic ecosystems due to their unique ecological functions. Coastal dunes are one of the most invaded European environments, with a total flora composed of up to 7% of IAPs. One of these IAPs is Yucca gloriosa L. (Asparagaceae), a homoploid hybrid native plant from the United States of America introduced to Europe for ornamental purposes. For Italy, Y. gloriosa is a typical invasive species related to fixed dunes dominated by Juniperus sp. pl. (with which it competes). Concerning biological invasions, maybe the most effective management strategy is early detection and mapping. In that sense, this work explores and tests the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for detecting, mapping, and managing the Y. gloriosa invasion along the Mediterranean coastal dunes of a protected area located in Tuscany (Italy). In detail, this work focuses on four aspects: i) determine the suitability of RGB images to map Y. gloriosa, ii) identify the best time of data acquisition, iii) detect changes affecting the occurrence and cover of Y. gloriosa, and iv) propose a set of management actions to preserve a coastal dune ecosystem subjected to plant invasion. The UAV images allowed the generation of ultra-high spatial resolution maps to assess the Y. gloriosa invasion and distribution along the surveyed sandy dunes. The morphological characteristics of this plant – especially at the foliar level – make the invasion of Y. gloriosa particularly suitable for being evaluated and managed using UAV mapping, especially in coastal dunes vegetation that can be a mosaic of different plant communities hard to identify when airborne or satellite images are used. According to the obtained results, the spring season is the perfect time to collect data because light conditions are ideal, with minimal shading effects. Also, due to the peculiar morphology of Y. gloriosa leaves, the timing of data collection seems not crucial for mapping this IAP on coastal dune habitats. Despite the massive eradication action funded by a LIFE project during the period 2005-2009, Y. gloriosa is still present in the protected area and affects the priority habitat of juniper. This might be linked to the fact that Y. gloriosa is a perennial rhizomatous shrub capable of switching its photosynthesis from the C3 to CAM pathway and, therefore, withstand the harsh environmental conditions of dune ecosystems. The early detection using UAVs is the first line of defense against IAPs colonization over any ecosystem. From a conservation and management point of view, this work suggests the development of annual biomonitoring of Y. gloriosa to check its distribution over time and control its spread where it becomes particularly invasive. In this case, one possible strategy will be to keep the IAP in isolated nuclei of plants that are easier to remove with mechanical methods. In a broader view, the study area and the Mediterranean coast must include the ban on introducing non-native species as a strategy, adopting a short-term non-native Management Plan as urgent action

Antiproliferative oxime derivatives that inhibit glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in cancer cells

The Warburg effect, consisting in alterations of the glucose metabolism in cancer cells, where glucose mostly undergoes glycolysis with production of lactate, is currently being considered as one of the most intriguing hallmarks of cancer [1]. Therefore, the discovery of new agents able to block the glycolytic processes in tumor cells holds promise for developing relatively nontoxic anticancer treatments [2]. In terms of energy (ATP) production, glycolysis is dramatically less efficient than oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In fact, most normal cells rely on OXPHOS for glucose degradation, since they are generally well-oxygenated. On the contrary, invasive tumor tissues are often exposed to more-or-less transient hypoxia, which cannot guarantee the proper functioning of OXPHOS. Under these hypoxic conditions glycolysis leading to lactate production is mainly preferred, since it does not depend on oxygen availability. However, due to the lower efficiency of the glycolytic process, cancer cells commonly show a remarkably high glucose uptake, which is supported by the overexpression of the glucose transporters (GLUTs). GLUT1 is one of the most commonly transporters that are overexpressed by cancer cells and, therefore, represent a potential target for selectively hitting them [3], although only a very limited number of GLUT1-inhibitors have been reported so far [4]. On the basis of an analysis of the pharmacophoric features displayed by some previously reported GLUT1-inhibitors, we have identified a series of oxime derivatives [5] as potentially active on this transporter. A preliminary screening of these compounds in H1299 lung cancer cells demonstrated that some of them are able to effectively counteract glucose uptake and cell growth, displaying IC50 values in the low micromolar range. We have then developed a new computational model of GLUT1, which provided us with valuable clues about the possible binding site and the most important interactions occurring with some representative oxime derivatives and GLUT1. These indications may prove to be very valuable for the future development of novel potent and selective GLUT1-inhibitors. References: [1] Hanahan, D.; Weinberg, R. A. Cell 2011, 144, 646-674. [2] Granchi, C.; Minutolo, F. ChemMedChem 2012, 7, 1318-1350. [3] Rastogi, S.; Banerjee, S.; Chellappan, S.; Simon, G. R. Cancer Lett. 2007, 257, 244-251. [4] Liu, Y.; Cao, Y.; Zhang, W.; Bergmeier, S.; Qian, Y.; Akbar, H.; Colvin, R.; Ding, J.; Tong, L.; Wu, S.; Hines, J.; Chen, X. Mol. Cancer Ther. 2012, 11, 1672-1682, and references therein. [5] Minutolo, F.; Bertini, S.; Granchi, C.; Marchitiello, T.; Prota, G.; Rapposelli, S.; Tuccinardi, T.; Martinelli, A.; Gunther, J. R.; Carlson, K. E.; Katzenellenbogen, J. A.; Macchia, M. J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 858-867

Stress echo 2020 : the international stress echo study in ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease

Background: Stress echocardiography (SE) has an established role in evidence-based guidelines, but recently its breadth and variety of applications have extended well beyond coronary artery disease (CAD). We lack a prospective research study of SE applications, in and beyond CAD, also considering a variety of signs in addition to regional wall motion abnormalities. Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, international, observational study design, > 100 certified high-volume SE labs (initially from Italy, Brazil, Hungary, and Serbia) will be networked with an organized system of clinical, laboratory and imaging data collection at the time of physical or pharmacological SE, with structured follow-up information. The study is endorsed by the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Echography and organized in 10 subprojects focusing on: contractile reserve for prediction of cardiac resynchronization or medical therapy response; stress B-lines in heart failure; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; mitral regurgitation after either transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement; outdoor SE in extreme physiology; right ventricular contractile reserve in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot; suspected or initial pulmonary arterial hypertension; coronary flow velocity, left ventricular elastance reserve and B-lines in known or suspected CAD; identification of subclinical familial disease in genotype-positive, phenotype- negative healthy relatives of inherited disease (such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Results: We expect to recruit about 10,000 patients over a 5-year period (2016-2020), with sample sizes ranging from 5,000 for coronary flow velocity/ left ventricular elastance/ B-lines in CAD to around 250 for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or repaired Tetralogy of Fallot. This data-base will allow to investigate technical questions such as feasibility and reproducibility of various SE parameters and to assess their prognostic value in different clinical scenarios. Conclusions: The study will create the cultural, informatic and scientific infrastructure connecting high-volume, accredited SE labs, sharing common criteria of indication, execution, reporting and image storage of SE to obtain original safety, feasibility, and outcome data in evidence-poor diagnostic fields, also outside the established core application of SE in CAD based on regional wall motion abnormalities. The study will standardize procedures, validate emerging signs, and integrate the new information with established knowledge, helping to build a next-generation SE lab without inner walls

Quality control of B-lines analysis in stress Echo 2020

Background The effectiveness trial “Stress echo (SE) 2020” evaluates novel applications of SE in and beyond coronary artery disease. The core protocol also includes 4-site simplified scan of B-lines by lung ultrasound, useful to assess pulmonary congestion. Purpose To provide web-based upstream quality control and harmonization of B-lines reading criteria. Methods 60 readers (all previously accredited for regional wall motion, 53 B-lines naive) from 52 centers of 16 countries of SE 2020 network read a set of 20 lung ultrasound video-clips selected by the Pisa lab serving as reference standard, after taking an obligatory web-based learning 2-h module ( http://se2020.altervista.org ). Each test clip was scored for B-lines from 0 (black lung, A-lines, no B-lines) to 10 (white lung, coalescing B-lines). The diagnostic gold standard was the concordant assessment of two experienced readers of the Pisa lab. The answer of the reader was considered correct if concordant with reference standard reading ±1 (for instance, reference standard reading of 5 B-lines; correct answer 4, 5, or 6). The a priori determined pass threshold was 18/20 (≥ 90%) with R value (intra-class correlation coefficient) between reference standard and recruiting center) > 0.90. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficient statistics. Results All 60 readers were successfully accredited: 26 (43%) on first, 24 (40%) on second, and 10 (17%) on third attempt. The average diagnostic accuracy of the 60 accredited readers was 95%, with R value of 0.95 compared to reference standard reading. The 53 B-lines naive scored similarly to the 7 B-lines expert on first attempt (90 versus 95%, p = NS). Compared to the step-1 of quality control for regional wall motion abnormalities, the mean reading time per attempt was shorter (17 ± 3 vs 29 ± 12 min, p < .01), the first attempt success rate was higher (43 vs 28%, p < 0.01), and the drop-out of readers smaller (0 vs 28%, p < .01). Conclusions Web-based learning is highly effective for teaching and harmonizing B-lines reading. Echocardiographers without previous experience with B-lines learn quickly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lucano e il rectum cornu della luna (Phars. 5.548)

In this passage Lucan was strongly influenced by ancient astronomical literature, though the exact meaning of rectum cornu remains unclear and suggests that the poet was more interested in producing a sinister atmosphere than in technical details

Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque

A thrombotic occlusion of the vessel fed by ruptured coronary atherosclerotic plaque may result in unstable angina, myocardial infarction or death, whereas embolization from a plaque in carotid arteries may result in transient ischemic attack or stroke. The atherosclerotic plaque prone to such clinical events is termed high-risk or vulnerable plaque, and its identification in humans before it becomes symptomatic has been elusive to date. Ultrasonic tissue characterization of the atherosclerotic plaque is possible with different techniques—such as vascular, transesophageal, and intravascular ultrasound—on a variety of arterial segments, including carotid, aorta, and coronary districts. The image analysis can be based on visual, video-densitometric or radiofrequency methods and identifies three distinct textural patterns: hypo-echoic (corresponding to lipid- and hemorrhage-rich plaque), iso- or moderately hyper-echoic (fibrotic or fibro-fatty plaque), and markedly hyperechoic with shadowing (calcific plaque). Hypoechoic or dishomogeneous plaques, with spotty microcalcification and large plaque burden, with plaque neovascularization and surface irregularities by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, are more prone to clinical complications than hyperechoic, extensively calcified, homogeneous plaques with limited plaque burden, smooth luminal plaque surface and absence of neovascularization. Plaque ultrasound morphology is important, along with plaque geometry, in determining the atherosclerotic prognostic burden in the individual patient. New quantitative methods beyond backscatter (to include speed of sound, attenuation, strain, temperature, and high order statistics) are under development to evaluate vascular tissues. Although not yet ready for widespread clinical use, tissue characterization is listed by the American Society of Echocardiography roadmap to 2020 as one of the most promising fields of application in cardiovascular ultrasound imaging, offering unique opportunities for the early detection and treatment of atherosclerotic disease

Monitoring Light Pollution with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: A Case Study Comparing RGB Images and Night Ground Brightness

There are several tools and methods to quantify light pollution due to direct or reflected light emitted towards the sky. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are still rarely used in light pollution studies. In this study, a digital camera and a sky quality meter mounted on a UAV have been used to study the relationship between indices computed on night images and night ground brightness (NGB) measured by an optical device pointed downward towards the ground. Both measurements were taken simultaneously during flights at an altitude of 70 and 100 m, and with varying exposure time. NGB correlated significantly both with the brightness index (−0.49 ÷ −0.56) and with red (−0.52 ÷ −0.58) and green band indices (−0.42 ÷ −0.58). A linear regression model based on the luminous intensity index was able to estimate observed NGB with an RMSE varying between 0.21 and 0.46 mpsas. Multispectral analysis applied to images taken at 70 m showed that increasing exposure time might cause a saturation of the colors of the image, especially in the red band, that worsens the correlation between image indices and NGB. Our study suggests that the combined use of low cost devices such as UAV and a sky quality meter can be used for assessing hotspot areas of light pollution originating from the surface

Monitoring Light Pollution with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: A Case Study Comparing RGB Images and Night Ground Brightness

There are several tools and methods to quantify light pollution due to direct or reflected light emitted towards the sky. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are still rarely used in light pollution studies. In this study, a digital camera and a sky quality meter mounted on a UAV have been used to study the relationship between indices computed on night images and night ground brightness (NGB) measured by an optical device pointed downward towards the ground. Both measurements were taken simultaneously during flights at an altitude of 70 and 100 m, and with varying exposure time. NGB correlated significantly both with the brightness index (&minus;0.49 &divide; &minus;0.56) and with red (&minus;0.52 &divide; &minus;0.58) and green band indices (&minus;0.42 &divide; &minus;0.58). A linear regression model based on the luminous intensity index was able to estimate observed NGB with an RMSE varying between 0.21 and 0.46 mpsas. Multispectral analysis applied to images taken at 70 m showed that increasing exposure time might cause a saturation of the colors of the image, especially in the red band, that worsens the correlation between image indices and NGB. Our study suggests that the combined use of low cost devices such as UAV and a sky quality meter can be used for assessing hotspot areas of light pollution originating from the surface