Problematic internet use among high school students: Prevalence, associated factors and gender differences

This study aimed to measure the prevalence of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) among high school students and to identify factors associated with PIU underlining gender differences. The students filled a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire collecting information on demographic characteristics and patterns of Internet use. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with PIU in the overall sample and by gender. Twenty-five schools and 2022 students participated in the survey. Prevalence of PIU was 14.2% among males and 10.1% among females. Males 15-year-olds and females 14-year-olds had the highest PIU prevalence that progressively lowered with age among females. Only 13.5% of pupils declared parents controlled their Internet use. The sensation of feeling lonely, the frequency of use, the number of hours of connection, and visiting pornographic websites were associated with the risk of PIU in both genders. Attending vocational schools, the activities of chatting and file downloading, and the location of use at Internet point among males, and younger age among females were associated with PIU, whilst information searching was protective among females. PIU could become a public health problem in the next years. The physical and mental health consequences should be studied

The synthesis of decades of groundwater knowledge: the new Hydrogeological Map of Rome

This paper describes the contents and the path taken to get to the new Hydrogeological map of the City of Rome. The map, which is the result of a combination of "expert elaborations" and GIS processing performed using the most recent available data, extends to the entire municipality (1285 km2) and is based on both the most recent scientific studies on groundwater field and new survey activities carried out in order to fill the data gaps in several areas of the examined territory. The work represents also an example of inter-institutional collaboration between government agencies, research institutes and universities

Hydrogeological Features and Sustainable Use of Geothermal Resources: Selected Case Studies in Italy

Within the framework of the activities aimed at studying current and future exploitation and the related sustainability of geothermal resources, and considering the key role hydrogeology plays in the study of geothermal systems and design of installations, in October 2012 the Working Group IDROGEOTER was set-up within the IAH (International Association of Hydrogeologists) Italian Chapter. The first activity of IDROGEOTER‘s workplan is the analysis of state of the art in current use of low-to high enthalpy geothermal resources in Italy and of the hydrogeological settings resulting from features (e.g.: hydrostratigraphy, hydraulic and hydrodynamic conditions, hydrogeochemistry, …) influencing the availability of the resource and the potential of the systems. Detailed studies supporting the possible optimization of the use of geothermal resources, carried out in different areas (see figure) and under different hydrogeological conditions in Italy, are described in the paper. In the Piedmont Region (NW Italy) several experimental sites have been investigated in order to assess the potential subsurface effects of open-loop Groundwater Heat Pumps (GW-HPs) plants for the cooling and heating of buildings. A comparison between field measures and numerical modelling results reveals that the most important aquifer parameters affecting the developing of the Thermal Affected Zone (TAZ) around the injection wells are those related to advective heat transfer. The Lombardy Region (N Italy) is currently the most populated and industrialized region in Italy and therefore the area where the highest number of GWHP plants (open and closed loop) are installed, from which a representative sample will be selected with the objective of identifying the critical hydrogeological factors contributing both to the geothermal potential and to a sustainable use of the resource. In the Veneto Region (NE Italy), the Euganean Geothermal Field is the most important thermal field in northern Italy (about 250 active wells) and the thermal waters (65-86 °C) are mainly used for spas; recently, a new conceptual model of the Euganean Geothermal System has been proposed and tested in a numerical model; with regard to low enthalpy, studies on sites potentially suitable for closed-loop and open-loop systems, together with data from automated monitoring of several wells, could be used for advanced analysis of different hydrogeothermal systems. Research activities in the Lazio Region (Central Italy) focus also on low enthalpy and are specifically aimed at the mapping of the geothermal potential of aquifers, and at pilot studies of sites characterized by gravel aquifers, alluvial Holocene deposits of the Tevere River and alluvial pre-volcanic Pleistocene deposits. In the Campania Region (S Italy - Mondragone plain), in the framework of the geothermal exploration programme “VIGOR” (Evaluation of Geothermal Potential in Convergence Region), a groundwater balance, verifying the recharge area of thermal springs (temperature 33-54 °C) connected to a large carbonate aquifer, has permitted the identification of the most suitable area in which to drill a geothermal well. In the Apulia Region (SE Italy) the thermal field trends consequent to groundwater advection and the influence of seawater intrusion have been reconstructed for two karstic coastal aquifers (Murgia and Salento) at various elevation between -5 and -100 m amsl. These reconstructions are intended to provide required base knowledge for correctly implementing low enthalpy HP plants in the saturated zones. Further studies and inventory of data and applications will be part of the activities of IDROGEOTER, which will also include the preparation of a proposal of guidelines for hydro-geothermal studies

Decision Support Systems for Weed Management

Editors: Guillermo R. Chantre, José L. González-Andújar.Weed management Decision Support Systems (DSS) are increasingly important computer-based tools for modern agriculture. Nowadays, extensive agriculture has become highly dependent on external inputs and both economic costs, as well the negative environmental impact of agricultural activities, demands knowledge-based technology for the optimization and protection of non-renewable resources. In this context, weed management strategies should aim to maximize economic profit by preserving and enhancing agricultural systems. Although previous contributions focusing on weed biology and weed management provide valuable insight on many aspects of weed species ecology and practical guides for weed control, no attempts have been made to highlight the forthcoming importance of DSS in weed management. This book is a first attempt to integrate 'concepts and practice' providing a novel guide to the state-of-art of DSS and the future prospects which hopefully would be of interest to higher-level students, academics and professionals in related areas

Elotuzumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a multicenter, retrospective real-world experience with 200 cases outside of controlled clinical trials

In the ELOQUENT-3 trial, the combination of elotuzumab, pomalidomide and dexamethasone (EloPd) proved a superior clinical benefit over Pd with a manageable toxicity profile, leading to its approval in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), who had received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI). We report here a real-world experience of 200 RRMMs treated with EloPd in 35 Italian centers outside of clinical trials. In our dataset, the median number of prior lines of therapy was 2, with 51% of cases undergoing autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and 73% exposed to daratumumab. After a median follow-up of 9 months, 126 patients stopped EloPd, most of them (88.9%) because of disease progression. The overall response rate (ORR) was 55.4%, in line with the pivotal trial results. Regarding adverse events, our cohort experienced a toxicity profile similar to the ELOQUENT-3 trial, with no significant differences between younger (<70 years) and older patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7 months, shorter than that observed in the ELOQUENT-3, probably due to the different clinical characteristics of the two cohorts. Interestingly, the ISS stage III (HR:2.55) was associated with worse PFS. Finally, our series's median overall survival (OS) was shorter than that observed in the ELOQUENT-3 trial (17.5 versus 29.8 months). In conclusion, our real-world study confirms EloPd as a safe and possible therapeutic choice for RRMM who received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a PI

A follow-up study of heroin addicts (VEdeTTE2): study design and protocol

BACKGROUND: In Italy, a large cohort study (VEdeTTE1) was conducted between 1998–2001 to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments in reducing mortality and increasing treatment retention among heroin addicts. The follow-up of this cohort (VEdeTTE2) was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments on long-term outcomes, such as rehabilitation and social re-integration. The purpose of this paper is to describe the protocol of the VEdeTTE2 study, and to present the results of the pilot study carried out to assess the feasibility of the study and to improve study procedures. METHODS: The source population for the VEdeTTE2 study was the VEdeTTE1 cohort, from which a sample of 2,200 patients, traced two or more years after enrolment in the cohort, were asked to participate. An interview investigates drug use; overdose; family and social re-integration. Illegal activity are investigated separately in a questionnaire completed by the patient. Patients are also asked to provide a hair sample to test for heroin and cocaine use. Information on treatments and HIV, HBV and HCV morbidity are obtained from clinical records. A pilot phase was planned and carried out on 60 patients. RESULTS: The results of the pilot phase pointed out the validity of the procedures designed to limit attrition: the number of traced subjects was satisfactory (88%). Moreover, the pilot phase was very useful in identifying possible causes of delays and attrition, and flaws in the instruments. Improvements to the procedures and the instruments were subsequently implemented. Sensitivity of the biological test was quite good for heroin (78%) but lower for cocaine (42.3%), highlighting the need to obtain a hair sample from all patients. CONCLUSION: In drug addiction research, studies investigating health status and social re-integration of subjects at long-term follow-up are lacking. The VEdeTTE2 study aims to investigate these outcomes at long-term follow-up. Results of the pilot phase underline the importance of the pilot phase when planning a follow-up study