Use of mixed study techniques in the evaluation of coastline dynamics - the “Porto Cesareo” MPA case of study

In recent decades, the much-discussed climate changes with the consequent variations in sea and weather conditions and the rise of the mean sea level are causing an indisputable set of negative actions on the entire coastal system mainly due to the increase of the erosive phenomenon along the shorelines. These critical scenarios have a major impact even on a local scale, and because of that, we decided to study a well knows tract of rocky/sandy mixed coast, in a highly anthropized area, even if located inside the “Porto Cesareo” Marine Protected Area (MPA) (Ionian Sea, Gulf of Taranto, Puglia Region, Italy). The high naturalistic and archaeological value of this area calls for a greater institutional effort in the study of erosional phenomena. Several historical documents from other studies point out that this coastal area is an ideal place for this kind of research. The effects of coastal erosion and anthropic pressures along this tract of coast require adequate efforts for a consistent and rapid evaluation of the coastal dynamics. The methodologies proposed in this work are based on mixed techniques from different fields of study, integrating recent aero photogrammetry surveys with drones, aerial images acquired by the Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGM), elaboration of paleoshorelines related by underwater archaeological markers and their dating, and finally on the elaboration of satellite products useful for the study of vast areas. The monitoring of coastal areas and the evaluation of shoreline dynamics are core topics in the implementation of managing actions of decision makers on a local, regional, national, and international scale, above all in places like the chosen one, inside an MPA. Remote sensing through the use of RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems or Drones) has proved to be very useful for identifying phenomena that act on a small spatial scale and in supporting and implementing protective measures according to the adaptive management approach, through multi-year surveys on habitats of conservation interest [18]. For the implementation of fine-scale monitoring actions, we have chosen products from the Sentinel satellite of the Copernicus constellation (European Space Agency - ESA). In this context, the use of satellite products provides a recurrent view of the ground, useful in the short and long-term monitoring of changes in wide coastal areas, and in particular, offers a coastline positioning evaluation in near real-time. Local monitoring actions performed in recent years have already shown an erosive trend in the past decades, and even, negative forecasts for the next decade, so further surveys with mixed methodologies could be crucial in the evaluation of the evolution of this particular coastal area by local authorities

Gpr investigation at the archaeological site of le cesine, lecce, italy

In this contribution, we present some results achieved in the archaeological site of Le Cesine, close to Lecce, in southern Italy. The investigations have been performed in a site close to the Adriatic Sea, only slightly explored up to now, and where the presence of an ancient Roman harbour is alleged on the basis of remains visible above all under the current sea level. This measurement campaign has been performed in the framework of a short-term scientific mission (STSM) performed in the framework of the European Cost Action 17131 (acronym SAGA), and has been aimed to identify possible points where future localized excavation might and hopefully will be performed in the next few years. Both a traditional elaboration and an innovative data processing based on a linear inverse scattering model have been performed on the data

Increased carotid intima-media thickness and stiffness in obese children

Summary (Abstract not available):Obesity in childhood increases the risk of atherosclerotic disease and death in adulthood. We studied 100 children with obesity and 47 healthy age-mathced control subjects, mean age 10 years of both groups. Biochemical parameters describing lipoprotein and glucose metabolism were measured. Quantitative B-mode ultrasound examination of common carotid arteries was performed. Carotid thickness and stiffness were significantly increased in obese children as compared to nonobese ones, independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Obesity should be regarded as a disease with vascular implications even in young age

On the detectability of gravitational waves background produced by gamma ray bursts

In this paper we discuss a new strategy for the detection of gravitational radiation likely emitted by cosmological gamma ray burst. Robust and conservative estimates lead to the conclusion that the uncorrelated superimposition of bursts of gravitational waves can be detected by interferometric detectors like VIRGO or LIGO. The expected signal is predicted to carry two very distinctive signatures: the cosmological dipole anisotropy and a characteristic time scale in the auto correlation spectrum, which might be exploited, perhaps with ad hoc modifications and/or upgrading of the planned experiments, to confirm the non-instrumental origin of the signal.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, LATEX2e, Accepted for pubblications as a Letter to the Editor in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physic

Quality of Life in Patients With Severe Skin Reactions in Course of First-Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors Monoclonal Antibodies (Our Experience With Cetuximab)

Background: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with wild type expression of RAS and RAF genes can be treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, in combination with chemotherapy. Skin toxicity represents the most serious and frequent side effect in these patients. Skin manifestations occur in approximately 80% of patients. In this study, we investigated the consequences on body image and quality of life (QoL) of patients with severe skin toxicity. Methods: One hundred patients were enrolled with mCRC. All patients signed informed consent and completed questionnaires to assess QoL and body discomfort. Toxicity was assessed on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEs). Results: The greatest impact on QoL was represented by difficulties in managing skin rash-related side effects. Data showed a significant impact in psychological sphere and social relationships. Conclusions: Skin side effects, particularly rash, influence QoL and social relationships, compromising therapeutic compliance

Direct peroral cholangioscopy in the management of difficult biliary stones: a new tool to confirm common bile duct clearance. Results of a preliminary study

Background and aims: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with stone extraction is the standard treatment for choledocholithiasis. After stone retrieval, balloon-occluded cholangiography is generally performed to confirm bile duct clearance but can miss residual stones particularly in patients with residual small-sized stones, a large bile duct or pneumobilia. In addition, difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones requiring advanced endoscopic techniques for retrieval are a potential risk factor for choledocholithiasis recurrence. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained procedures database. From July 2016 to December 2017, all patients with difficult CBD stones who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with papillary balloon dilation-assisted stone retrieval and subsequent direct per-oral cholangioscopy (DPOC) using standard gastroscopes to confirm CBD clearance were analyzed. Results: Thirty-six patients who underwent ERCP and DPOC were included. Technical success, defined as deep intubation of CBD with hepatic hilum visualization, was achieved in 31 of 36 patients (86%). During DPOC, residual CBD stones were visualized and removed in 7 of 31 patients (22.5%). After a mean of 241 +/- 56 days of follow-up post-DPOC, no serious adverse events were reported, and there was no evidence or suspicion of recurrent choledocholithiasis. Conclusions: Direct per-oral cholangioscopy immediately following difficult CBD stone removal was safe, feasible and accurate. In this setting, DPOC at the time of ERCP appears to be a very useful tool to achieve complete clearance of choledocholithiasis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cosmic Ray Protons and Magnetic Fields in Clusters of Galaxies and their Cosmological Consequences

The masses of clusters of galaxies estimated by gravitational lensing exceed in many cases the mass estimates based on hydrostatic equilibrium. This may suggest the existence of nonthermal pressure. We ask if radio galaxies can heat and support the cluster gas with injected cosmic ray protons and magnetic field densities, which are permitted by Faraday rotation and gamma ray observations of clusters of galaxies. We conclude that they are powerful enough to do this within a cluster radius of roughly 1 Mpc. If present, nonthermal pressures could lead to a revised estimate of the ratio of baryonic mass to total mass, and the apparent baryonic overdensity in clusters would disappear. In consequence, $\Omega_{\rm cold}$, the clumping part of the cosmological density $\Omega_{o}$, would be larger than $0.4\,h_{50}^{-1/2}$.Comment: Accepted by ApJ, 16 pages, LaTeX, 2 figures, epsfig.sty, aaspp4.st

Effectiveness of a Total Meal Replacement Program (OPTIFAST Program) on Weight Loss: Results from the OPTIWIN Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of the OPTIFAST program (OP), a total meal replacement dietary intervention, compared with a food-based (FB) dietary plan for weight loss. Methods: Participants with BMI 30 to 55 kg/m2, age 18 to 70 years old, were randomized to OP or FB dietary and lifestyle interventions for 26 weeks, followed by a weight-maintenance phase. Outcomes were percent change in body weight (%WL) from baseline to weeks 26 and 52, associated changes in body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and adverse events. Primary analysis used repeated-measures multivariable linear mixed models to compare outcomes between groups in a modified intention-to-treat fashion (mITT). Results: A total of 273 participants (83% of randomized; 135 OP, 138 FB) made up the mITT population. Mean age was 47.1 ± 11.2 years; 82% were female and 71% non-Hispanic white. Baseline BMI was 38.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2. At 26 weeks, OP %WL was 12.4%±0.6% versus 6.0%±0.6% in FB (P <0.001). At 52 weeks, OP %WL was 10.5% ± 0.6% versus 5.5% ± 0.6% in FB (P < 0.001). Fat mass loss was greater for OP; lean mass loss was proportional to total weight loss. There was no difference in serious adverse event rates between groups. Conclusions: Compared with an FB approach, OP was more effective with greater sustained weight loss