accuracy of cultural heritage 3d models by rpas and terrestrial photogrammetry

The combined use of high-resolution digital images taken from ground as well as from RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) have significantly increased the potential of close range digital photogrammetry applications in Cultural Heritage surveying and modeling. It is in fact possible, thanks to SfM (Structure from Motion), to simultaneously process great numbers of aerial and terrestrial images for the production of a dense point cloud of an object. In order to analyze the accuracy of results, we started numerous tests based on the comparison between 3D digital models of a monumental complex realized by the integration of aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry and an accurate TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanner) reference model of the same object. A lot of digital images of a renaissance castle, assumed as test site, have been taken both by ground level and by RPAS at different distances and flight altitudes and with different flight patterns. As first step of the experimentation, the images were previously processed with Agisoft PhotoScan, one of the most popular photogrammetric software. The comparison between the photogrammetric DSM of the monument and a TLS reference one was carried out by evaluating the average deviation between the points belonging to the two entities, both globally and locally, on individual façades and architectural elements (sections and particular). In this paper the results of the first test are presented. A good agreement between photogrammetric and TLS digital models of the castle is pointed out

Measurement of surface velocity in open channels using a lightweight remotely piloted aircraft system

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a low-cost remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) technique is proposed for measurement of the surface velocity in rivers or channels with low surface velocity and small discharge. To verify the reliability of the results obtained with the RPAS, we simultaneously measured the surface velocity with other methods based on total stations and close range photogrammetry. The RPAS was used both with ground control points (GCPs) for orientation of the photographic images and without GCPs. The data analysis showed that the RPAS provides valid results even without GCPs. Use of a RPAS without GCPs, relying solely on flight altitude to determine the water velocity, opens the way for its utilization in emergency conditions when it is impossible to access the river banks for the realization and survey of GCPs

UAVS TO ASSESS THE EVOLUTION OF EMBRYO DUNES

The balance of a coastal environment is particularly complex: the continuous formation of dunes, their destruction as a result of violent storms, the growth of vegetation and the consequent growth of the dunes themselves are phenomena that significantly affect this balance. This work presents an approach to the long-term monitoring of a complex dune system by means of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Four different surveys were carried out between November 2015 and November 2016. Aerial photogrammetric data were acquired during flights by a DJI Phantom 2 and a DJI Phantom 3 with cameras in a nadiral arrangement. GNSS receivers in Network Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) mode were used to frame models in the European Terrestrial Reference System. Processing of the captured images consisted in reconstruction of a three-dimensional model using the principles of Structure from Motion (SfM). Particular care was necessary due to the vegetation: filtering of the dense cloud, mainly based on slope detection, was performed to minimize this issue. Final products of the SfM approach were represented by Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the sandy coastal environment. Each model was validated by comparison through specially surveyed points. Other analyses were also performed, such as cross sections and computing elevation variations over time. The use of digital photogrammetry by UAVs is particularly reliable: fast acquisition of the images, reconstruction of high-density point clouds, high resolution of final elevation models, as well as flexibility, low cost and accuracy comparable with other available techniques

Contribution of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among patients <15 years hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Milan, 2014-2017

Aim: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections may range from cold to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and are responsible for substantial pediatric morbidity. We describe the results of RSV molecular detection in respiratory samples collected from children <15 years hospitalized with SARI in Milan (Italy) during four consecutive years. Method: From January 1st, 2014, to December 31st, 2017, 3013 respiratory samples (2826 upper-respiratory-tract [UTR] and 187 lower-respiratory-tract [LTR] specimens) collected from as many children <15 years hospitalized with SARI at an University hospital in Milan were analysed. After DNA/RNA extraction, samples were tested by a multiplex real-time PCR to detect RSV and other respiratory viruses. Results: 571 (19%) respiratory samples tested RSV-positive. RSV-positivity rate by sample type was similar (URT vs LRT: 19.2% vs 14.4%; p=0.09). The median age of RSV-positive cases was 6.6 months (inter-quartile range: 17.2 months); 52.2% were males. 62.2% (355/571) of RSV-positive samples were identified in children <1 year and 12.4% (71/571) in those <1 month. RSV was detected throughout the study period; 59.2% (338/571) cases were identified during seasonal peaks (December-February). In 49.9% (285/571) of RSV-positive samples at least another virus (mainly Rhinovirus: 45.9%) was detected, particularly (60%; 171/285) in samples collected from children >1 year. Conclusions: Accordingly to other studies, RSV was detected in 19% of hospitalized-SARI cases <15 years, mainly in children <1 year and in December-February. Sampling of upper or lower airways resulted in similar RSV-positivity rate. Routine molecular testing to detect RSV is warranted to improve clinical management of pediatric patients

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HPEV infection in children<6 months hospitalized with symptoms of sepsie-like illness, northen Italy, 2015-2018

BACKGROUND. Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are widespread pathogens belonging to the Picornaviridae family and currently divided into 19 genotypes. HPeV infections can be associated with severe clinical manifestations, such as sepsis-like illness, particularly in youngest children. The epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HPeV infections observed in children <6 months hospitalized with symptoms of sepsis-like illness were investigated. METHODS. From January 1st, 2015, to December 31st, 2018, clinical samples (cerebrospinal fluid samples and/or blood samples) were collected for diagnosis of HPeV infection from 193 patients (median age: 21 days, range: 1 day - 6 months) hospitalized with symptoms of sepsis-like illness, in two hospitals of Northern Italy. HPeV-RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR (target 5\u2019UTR) and a portion of HPeV VP3/VP1 junction (nt. 2159\u20132458) was sequenced for typing and molecular characterization. RESULTS. 14% (27/193) of patients with symptoms of sepsis-like illness tested HPeV-positive. 26/27 (96.3%) HPeV-cases were <3 months and 20/27 (74.1%) <1 month. HPeV-positive cases were detected throughout the study period, mainly (12/27; 44.4%) during the summertime (June-August). 17/27 (63%) HPeV-positive samples were molecularly characterized: 16 resulted HPeV-3 and 1 HPeV-5. CONCLUSIONS. HPeV infection was identified in 14% of children <6 months with symptoms of sepsis-like illness. Almost all HPeV infections were detected in children <3 months and mainly during the summertime; almost all molecularly characterized HPeV belonged to type 3. Including HPeV molecular detection in routine diagnostic tests would allow estimating the burden of HPeV infection and improving clinical management of pediatric patients

Sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids - The "ying and yang" of lipotoxicity in metabolic diseases

Sphingolipids in general and ceramides in particular, contribute to pathophysiological mechanisms by modifying signalling and metabolic pathways. Here, we present the available evidence for a bidirectional homeostatic crosstalk between sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids, whose dysregulation contributes to lipotoxicity induced metabolic stress. The initial evidence for this crosstalk originates from simulated models designed to investigate the biophysical properties of sphingolipids in plasma membrane representations. In this review, we reinterpret some of the original findings and conceptualise them as a sort of "$\textit{ying/yang}$" interaction model of opposed/complementary forces, which is consistent with the current knowledge of lipid homeostasis and pathophysiology. We also propose that the dysregulation of the balance between sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids results in a lipotoxic insult relevant in the pathophysiology of common metabolic diseases, typically characterised by their increased ceramide/sphingosine pools.This work was funded by the Medical Research Council Programme grants (MC_UU_12012/2) “Lipotoxicity and obesity-associated metabolic complications”. FP7-ETHERPATHS (KBBE-2007-2A-222639-2), FP7-MITIN (223450), BBSRC (BB/H002731/1)

Influenza Vaccination in Italian Healthcare Workers (2018-2019 Season): Strengths and Weaknesses. Results of a Cohort Study in Two Large Italian Hospitals

Background: Annual vaccination is the most effective way to combat influenza. As influenza viruses evolve, seasonal vaccines are updated annually. Within the European project Development of Robust and Innovative Vaccine Effectiveness (DRIVE), a cohort study involving Italian healthcare workers (HCWs) was carried out during the 2018-2019 season. Two aims were defined: to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and to conduct an awareness-raising campaign to increase vaccination coverage. Methods: Each subject enrolled was followed up from enrollment to the end of the study. Each HCW who developed ILI was swabbed for laboratory confirmation of influenza. Influenza viruses were identified by molecular assays. A Cox regression analysis, crude and adjusted for confounding variables, was performed to estimate the IVE. Results: Among the 4483 HCWs enrolled, vaccination coverage was 32.5%, and 308 ILI cases were collected: 23.4% were positive for influenza (54.2% A(H1N1) pdm09; 45.8% A(H3N2)). No influenza B viruses were detected. No overall IVE was observed. Analyzing the subtypes of influenza A viruses, the IVE was estimated as 45% (95% CI: -59 to 81) for A(H1N1) pdm09. Conclusions: Vaccination coverage among HCWs increased. Study difficulties and the circulation of drifted variants of A(H3N2) could partly explain the observed IVE

Gastroenteropancreatic High-Grade Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Histology and Molecular Analysis, Two Sides of the Same Coin

Background: In gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (H-NENs), Ki-67 threshold of 55% defines three prognosis subclasses: neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G3, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) <55%, and NEC ≥55%. We investigated whether the molecular profiling of H-NENs differs among these subcategories and evaluated potential therapeutic targets, including PD-L1. Methods: In GEP-NEN patients, we evaluated: (i) 55% threshold for Ki-67 labeling index for further stratifying NEC and (ii) immunoreactivity and gene mutations by immunohistochemistry and targeted next-generation sequencing (T-NGS). Results: Fifteen NETs G3 and 39 NECs were identified. Ki-67 labeling index was <55% in 9 NECs and ≥55% in 30 NECs. Gene mutations by NGS (TP53, 32.9%; KRAS, 5.5%; BRAF, 4.1%) were detected in 46.6% NENs, significantly enriched in NEC ≥55% (76.7%) compared to NEC <55% (55.6%) or NET (20.0%). PD-L1 staining in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was observed in NEC ≥55% (36.7%; p = 0.03). Median OS was 4.3 years in NET G3, 1.8 years in NEC <55%, and 0.7 years in NEC ≥55% (p <0.0001); it was 2.3 years with NGS wild-type, 0.7 years with ≥1 mutation (p <0.0001), 0.8 years in PD-L1-positive patients, and 1.7 years in PD-L1-negative subjects (p = 0.0004). In multivariate analysis, only the proposed subclassification approach yielded statistically significant differences between groups (NEC <55% vs. NET G3, HR 14.1, 95% CI 2.2-89.8, p = 0.005; NEC ≥55% vs. NET G3, HR 25.8, 95% CI 3.9-169, p = 0.0007). Conclusions: These findings identify NEC ≥55% as a biologically and prognostically distinct subtype and pave the way for more personalized treatment

Hospital discharges-based search of acute flaccid paralysis cases 2007-2016 in Italy and comparison with the National Surveillance System for monitoring the risk of polio reintroduction

Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has been adopted globally as a key strategy for monitoring the progress of the polio eradication initiative. Hereby, to evaluate the completeness of the ascertainment of AFP cases in Italy, a hospital-discharges based search was carried out. Methods: AFP cases occurring between 2007 and 2016 among children under 15 years of age were searched in the Italian Hospital Discharge Records (HDR) database using specific ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes. AFP cases identified between 2015 and 2016 were then compared with those notified to the National Surveillance System (NSS). Results: Over a 10-year period, 4163 hospital discharges with diagnosis of AFP were reported in Italy. Among these, 956 (23.0%) were acute infective polyneuritis, 1803 (43.3%) myopathy, and 1408 (33.8%) encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis. During the study period, a decreasing trend was observed for all diagnoses and overall the annual incidence rate (IR) declined from 5.5 to 4.5 per 100,000 children. Comparing NSS with HDR data in 2015-2016, we found a remarkable underreporting, being AFP cases from NSS only 14% of those recorded in HDR. In particular, the acute infective polyneuritis cases reported to NSS accounted for 42.6% of those detected in HDR, while only 0.9% of myopathy cases and 13.1% of encephalitis/myelitis/encephalomyelitis cases have been notified to NSS. The highest AFP IRs per 100,000 children calculated on HDR data were identified in Liguria (17.4), Sicily (5.7), and Veneto (5.1) Regions; regarding the AFP notified to the NSS, 11 out of 21 Regions failed to reach the number of expected cases (based on 1/100,000 rate), and the highest discrepancies were observed in the Northern Regions. Overall, the national AFP rate was equal to 0.6, therefore did not reach the target value. Conclusions: AFP surveillance data are the final measure of a country's progress towards polio eradication. The historical data obtained by the HDR have been useful to assess the completeness of the notification data and to identify the Regions with a low AFP ascertainment rate in order to improve the national surveillance system

Microenvironment and tumor inflammatory features improve prognostic prediction in gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Microenvironment-related immune and inflammatory markers, when combined with established Ki-67 and morphology parameters, can improve prognostic prediction in gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs). Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic value of microenvironment and tumor inflammatory features (MoTIFs) in GEP-NENs. For this purpose, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 350 patients were profiled by immunohistochemistry for immune, inflammatory, angiogenesis, proliferation, NEN-, and fibroblast-related markers. A total of 314 patients were used to generate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) MoTIFs prognostic indices (PIs). PIs and additional variables were assessed using Cox models to generate nomograms for predicting 5-year OS and DFS. A total of 36 patients were used for external validation of PIs and nomograms' prognostic segregations. From our analysis, G1/G2 versus G3 GEP-NENs showed phenotypic divergence with immune-inflammatory markers. HLA, CD3, CD8, and PD-1/PD-L1 IHC expression separated G3 into two sub-categories with high versus low adaptive immunity-related features. MoTIFs PI for OS based on COX-2Tumor(T) > 4, PD-1Stromal(S) > 0, CD8S < 1, and HLA-IS < 1 was associated with worst survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12–2.96; p < 0.0001). MoTIFs PI for DFS was based on COX-2T > 4, PD-1S > 4, HLA-IS < 1, HLA-IT < 2, HLA-DRS < 6 (HR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.58–1.99; p < 0.0001). Two nomograms were developed including morphology (HR 4.83; 95% CI, 2.30–10.15; p < 0.001) and Ki-67 (HR 11.32; 95% CI, 5.28–24.24; p < 0.001) for OS, and morphology (PI = 0: HR 10.23; 95% CI, 5.67–18.47; PI = 5: HR 2.87; 95% CI, 1.21–6.81; p < 0.001) and MoTIFs PI for DFS in well-differentiated GEP-NENs (HR 6.21; 95% CI, 2.52–13.31; p < 0.001). We conclude that G1/G2 to G3 transition is associated with immune-inflammatory profile changes; in fact, MoTIFs combined with morphology and Ki-67 improve 5-year DFS prediction in GEP-NENs. The immune context of a subset of G3 poorly differentiated tumors is consistent with activation of adaptive immunity, suggesting a potential for responsiveness to immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints