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

Weight bearing versus conventional CT for the measurement of patellar alignment and stability in patients after surgical treatment for patellar recurrent dislocation

Purpose: To compare weight-bearing cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) and conventional computer tomography (CT)-based measurements of patellofemoral alignment and stability in patients surgically treated for recurrent patellar dislocation. These scans implied respectively single-leg up-right posture, the knee flexed, and lower limb muscles activation, versus supine position with the knee extended. Methods: A total of 17 patients (11 males/6 females) after surgical reconstruction with fascia lata allograft for recurrent patellofemoral dislocation were analyzed at 60-month follow-up. Tilt and congruence angles and tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) offset were measured on images obtained from CBCT and conventional CT scans by three independent and expert radiologists. Paired t tests were performed to compare measurements obtained from the two scans. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using a two-way mixed-effects model intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Only TT-TG offset was found significantly smaller (p < 0.001) in CBCT (mean 9.9 ± 5.3 mm) than in conventional CT (mean 15.9 ± 4.9 mm) scans. ICC for tilt and congruence angles and for TT-TG offset ranged between 0.80–0.94 with measurements in CBCT scans, between 0.52 and0.78 in conventional CT. Conclusion: In patients surgically treated for recurrent patellar dislocation, TT-TG offset was found overestimated with conventional CT. All measurements of patellofemoral stability and alignment were found more consistent when obtained with weight-bearing CBCT compared to conventional CT

Multi-criteria approach for the environmental impact assessment of inland aquaculture

Trout farming, that represents the most important sector for aquaculture inland production in Italy, can cause negative effects on aquatic ecosystems. Recently, in the framework of Water Frame Directive 2000/60/EC and national law DL 152/2006, concerning the sustainable uses of water resources, multi-criteria approaches have been suggested to evaluate the impact of fish farming on aquatic ecosystems. In this study trout farms of central Italy were selected to investigate the effects of their effluents, on receiving water bodies using a multi-criteria approach based on physicochemical parameters, microbiological and macrobenthonic indicators, detected in sampling stations located upstream/downstream the trout farm. Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility against antibiotics allowed and/or forbidden by current law (D.lgs 193/56/06) was tested on E. coli strains. The results indicate variations of chemical parameters and biological indicators from upstream to downstream sites in some of the investigated farms. Antibiotic resistance of E. coli strains suggested a large use of tetracycline and a possible past use of chloramphenicol. This study represents a first contribute to the knowledge of fish farm impacts on aquatic systems in Central Italy

Total knee arthroplasty in valgus knee deformity: is it still a challenge in 2021?

Total knee arthroplasty in valgus knee deformities continues to be a challenge for a surgeon. Approximately 10% of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty have a valgus deformity. While performing total knee arthroplasty in a severe valgus knee, one should aware with the technical aspects of surgical exposure, bone cuts of the distal femur and proximal tibia, medial and lateral ligament balancing, flexion and extension gap balancing, creating an appropriate tibiofemoral joint line, balancing the patellofemoral joint, preserving peroneal nerve function, and selection of the implant regarding constraint. Restoration of neutral mechanical axis and correct ligament balance are important factors for stability and longevity of the prosthesis and for good functional outcome. Thus, our review aims to provide step by step comprehensive knowledge about different surgical techniques for the correction of severe valgus deformity in total knee arthroplasty

A computer simulation protocol to assess the accuracy of a Radio Stereometric Analysis (RSA) image processor according to the ISO-5725

Radio-Stereometric-Analysis and x-ray fluoroscopy are radiological techniques that require dedicated software to process data. The accurate calibration of these software is therefore critical. The aim of this work is to produce a protocol for evaluating the softwares' accuracy according to the ISO-5725. A series of computer simulations of the radiological setup and images were employed. The noise level of the images was also changed to evaluate the accuracy with different image qualities. The protocol was tested on a custom software developed by the authors. Radiological scene reconstruction accuracy was of (0.092 +- 0.14) mm for tube position, and (0.38 +- 0.31) mm / (2.09 +- 1.39) deg for detectors oriented in a direction other than the source-detector direction. In the source-detector direction the accuracy was of (2.68 +- 3.08) mm for tube position, and of (0.16 +- 0.27) mm / (0.075 +- 1.16) deg for the detectors. These disparate results are widely discussed in the literature. Model positioning and orientation was also highly accurate: (0.22 +- 0.46) mm / (0.26 +- 0.22) deg. Accuracy was not affected by the noise level. The protocol was able to assess the accuracy of the RSA system. It was also useful to detect and fix hidden bugs. It was also useful to detect and resolve hidden bugs in the software, and in optimizing the algorithms

Custom-made implants for massive acetabular bone loss: accuracy with CT assessment

Background: Custom-made implants are a valid option in revision total hip arthroplasty to address massive acetabular bone loss. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of custom-made acetabular implants between preoperative planning and postoperative positioning using CT scans. Methods: In a retrospective analysis, three patients who underwent an acetabular custom-made prosthesis were identified. The custom-made designs were planned through 3D CT analysis considering surgical points of attention. The accuracy of intended implants positioning was assessed by comparing pre- and postoperative CT analyzing the center of rotation (CoR), anteversion, inclination, screws, and implant surface in contact with the bone. Results: The three cases presented satisfactory accuracy in positioning. A malpositioning in the third case was observed due to the posterization of the CoR of the implant of more than 10 mm. The other CoR vectors considered in the third patient and all vectors in the other two cases fall within 10 mm. All the cases were positioned with a difference of less than 10° of anteversion and inclination with respect to the planning. Conclusions: The current case series revealed promising accuracy in the positioning of custom-made acetabular prosthesis comparing the planned implant in preoperative CT with postoperative CT

CD93 A POTENTIAL PLAYER IN CYTOTROPHOBLAST AND ENDOTHELIAL CELL MIGRATION

CD93, also known as complement component C1q receptor, is expressed on the surface of diferent cellular types such as monocytes, neutrophils, platelets, microglia, and endothelial cells, and it plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation, cell migration, and formation of capillary-like structures. These processes are strictly regulated, and many fetal and maternal players are involved during placental development. At present, there are no studies in literature regarding CD93 in placental development, so we investigated CD93 expression in frst and third trimester and PE placentas by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis. In addition, we performed in vitro experiments under oxidative stress conditions to demonstrate how oxidative stress acts on CD93 protein expression. Our data showed that CD93 was expressed in villous cytotrophoblast cells, in some fetal vessels of frst and third trimester and PE placentas and in the extravillous cytotrophoblast of cell columns in the frst trimester placentas. Moreover, we detected a signifcant decrease of CD93 expression in third trimester and PE placentas compared to frst trimester placentas, while no diferences were detected between third and PE placentas. No diferences of CD93 expression were detected in oxidative stress conditions. We suggest that CD93 can guide extravillous cytotrophoblast migration through β1-integrin in uterine spiral arteries during placentation in the frst trimester of pregnancy and that the decrease of CD93 expression in third trimester and PE placentas could be linked to the poor extravillous cytotrophoblast cells migration. So, it might be interesting to understand the role of CD93 in the frst phases of PE onset

Effect of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction method on patellofemoral contact pressures and kinematics.

Background: There remains a lack of evidence regarding the optimal method when reconstructing the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and whether some graft constructs can be more forgiving to surgical errors, such as overtensioning or tunnel malpositioning, than others. Hypothesis: The null hypothesis was that there would not be a significant difference between reconstruction methods (eg, graft type and fixation) in the adverse biomechanical effects (eg, patellar maltracking or elevated articular contact pressure) resulting from surgical errors such as tunnel malpositioning or graft overtensioning. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were placed on a customized testing rig, where the femur was fixed but the tibia could be moved freely from 0\ub0 to 90\ub0 of flexion. Individual quadriceps heads and the iliotibial tract were separated and loaded to 205 N of tension using a weighted pulley system. Patellofemoral contact pressures and patellar tracking were measured at 0\ub0, 10\ub0, 20\ub0, 30\ub0, 60\ub0, and 90\ub0 of flexion using pressure-sensitive film inserted between the patella and trochlea, in conjunction with an optical tracking system. The MPFL was transected and then reconstructed in a randomized order using a (1) double-strand gracilis tendon, (2) quadriceps tendon, and (3) tensor fasciae latae allograft. Pressure maps and tracking measurements were recorded for each reconstruction method in 2 N and 10 N of tension and with the graft positioned in the anatomic, proximal, and distal femoral tunnel positions. Statistical analysis was undertaken using repeated-measures analyses of variance, Bonferroni post hoc analyses, and paired t tests. Results: Anatomically placed grafts during MPFL reconstruction tensioned to 2 N resulted in the restoration of intact medial joint contact pressures and patellar tracking for all 3 graft types investigated (P >.050). However, femoral tunnels positioned proximal or distal to the anatomic origin resulted in significant increases in the mean medial joint contact pressure, medial patellar tilt, and medial patellar translation during knee flexion or extension, respectively (P <.050), regardless of graft type, as did tensioning to 10 N. Conclusion: The importance of the surgical technique, specifically correct femoral tunnel positioning and graft tensioning, in restoring normal patellofemoral joint (PFJ) kinematics and articular cartilage contact stresses is evident, and the type of MPFL graft appeared less important. Clinical Relevance: The correct femoral tunnel position and graft tension for restoring normal PFJ kinematics and articular cartilage contact stresses appear to be more important than graft selection during MPFL reconstruction. These findings emphasize the importance of the surgical technique when undertaking this procedure

Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Health and Disease: An Update on the Last 10 Years (2010–2020)

The present review focuses on preclinical and clinical studies conducted in the last decade that contribute to increasing knowledge on Coenzyme Q10’s role in health and disease. Classical antioxidant and bioenergetic functions of the coenzyme have been taken into consideration, as well as novel mechanisms of action involving the redox-regulated activation of molecular pathways associated with anti-inflammatory activities. Cardiovascular research and fertility remain major fields of application of Coenzyme Q10, although novel applications, in particular in relation to topical application, are gaining considerable interest. In this respect, bioavailability represents a major challenge and the innovation in formulation aspects is gaining critical importance