Implementazione dei software Snap e StaMPS per l'elaborazione di immagini SAR con tecnica interferometrica

L’Earth Observation (EO), osservazione della Terra, è una disciplina che negli ultimi 30 anni è stata notevolmente sviluppata ed innovata, per poter soddisfare le sempre crescenti necessità dell’uomo di controllare il nostro pianeta, studiarne i cambiamenti e monitorarne l’evoluzione. Uno dei principali strumenti di remote-sensing in questi anni sempre più utilizzato è il SAR, il Radar ad Apertura Sintetica, soggetto principale del presente studio. Il SAR è uno strumento attivo, che non dipende da altre fonti di energia elettromagnetica, in grado di individuare gli oggetti e stimarne la distanza, con una precisione millimetrica. Sfruttando le microonde il SAR non è ostacolato dalle nubi e può quindi operare durante tutte le condizioni meteorologiche, di giorno e di notte. Le acquisizioni SAR si presentano come immagini, in cui all’interno di ogni pixel sono contenute informazioni legate alla fase del segnale ricevuto e all’ampiezza della risposta energetica generata dal bersaglio colpito al suolo. Scopo del presente studio è stato individuare, analizzare e iniziare a padroneggiare i diversi software necessari ad individuare i Persistent Scatterers, PS: pixel che durante le diverse acquisizioni mantengono una risposta stabile e possono essere per questo utilizzati come riferimento per valutare l’evoluzione dinamica della superficie terrestre. Per il nostro studio è stato scelto di analizzare i software free Snap e StaMPS, effettuando una descrizione esaustiva delle singole operazioni da svolgere, dei parametri necessari e dei prodotti intermedi per individuare i PS. Infine, per apprezzare le notevoli potenzialità del SAR, sono state svolte due elaborazioni di più di 200 acquisizioni effettuate tra il 2016 e il 2021, dai satelliti Sentinel-1, dell’area della provincia di Bologna, utilizzando Snap e StaMPS, per valutare l’evoluzione del suolo in questa importante area della nostra penisola

Regenerative bioturbation by intertidal burrowing crabs modifies microphytobenthic composition and enhances primary production in SW Atlantic mudflats

In coastal systems, benthic microalgae are important primary producers that significantly contribute to global primary production. Microphytobenthic (MPB) community structure and the ecosystem functions that it mediates are modulated by biotic and abiotic factors. Through burrowing activity, different types of bioturbators can impact MPB in different ways. Through directed sampling and field experiments performed at the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Argentina), we evaluated the effect of regenerative bioturbation (continuous digging and maintenance of burrows, with sediment transfer from depth to surface) by the intertidal burrowing crab Neohelice (Chasmagnatus) granulata on MPB. We compared sediment properties and MPB attributes between natural burrowed and non-burrowed areas. Moreover, we experimentally manipulated regenerative bioturbation to evaluate if MPB composition and primary production are altered by crab burrowing activity. Field sampling showed that MPB and sediment properties differed between natural burrowed and non-burrowed areas. Experimental results indicated that regenerative bioturbation by N. granulata increased sediment oxygen concentration at each measured depth and also changed MPB composition (due to the reduced total abundance of cyanobacteria), but nearly doubled primary production in comparison with plots without bioturbation. Thus, the net effects of regenerative bioturbation were positive for MPB productivity, reinforcing the idea that this kind of bioturbation is an important biological force that enhances primary production in intertidal systems.Fil: Giorgini, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Miguez, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Esquius, Karina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Díaz de Astarloa, Clara María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Iribarne, Oscar Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Fanjul, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Escapa, Carlos Mauricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives : data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.Peer reviewe

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

The ecological roles of Neohelice granulata I: modifying habitats

Neohelice granulata a model species for studies of ocean changes.Large species monographs seem to be a thing of the past, probably because few investigators have the luxury or dedication to be able to focus long-term research efforts exclusively on one species or a group of species. This enormous monograph on Neohelice granulata proves the great value that such monographs still have in current times. While in the past, species or taxon-focused monographs were typically written by single investigators who had spent their entire career investigating their favorite organisms, this monograph on N. granulata is a group effort gathering a total of 77 authors, primarily from Argentina. This is a gigantic achievement for the editors, being able to shepherd such a diverse group of authors who united in preparing this monograph with a total of 33 chapters.The result of this effort provides an overview about one of the best-studied crustacean species of the past few decades. From reading some of the chapters it becomes evident that this is not only a collection of chapters about N. granulata, but this volume is also testimony of a long-term research commitment of the Argentinian crustacean community.Collectively, they have worked over decades to investigate all aspects of the biology and life history of this intertidal crab. This volume is testimony to a community effort in every single chapter, almost on any single page. Most of the chapters are authored by at least two authors, andmany actually by more than two authors, furthermore underscoring this collaborative effort. The editors and all their fellow authors are congratulated especially for pulling off this group achievement!The volume is divided in four sections, each with a brief introductory preface by one of the eminent scholars in the field. In the first section on life history and developmental biology, the eight chapters explore the earyl life of N. granulata, from embryonic development to larval life. Authors especially focus on the pelagic stages, settlement biology, and life cycles.The eight chapters in the section on neurobiology cover topics ranging from sensory systems to neural integration including memory and learning. In the section on anatomy and physiology the authors present information on the reproductive system, investment in growth and 2 Fore word reproduction, general metabolic strategies and respiration of this fascinating crab living at the interface between air and water. In the final nd forms of food acquisition and the complexity of mating system of N. granulata as well as their effects on habitat structure and and species interactions,.The individual chapters are all relatively concise, and they are richly illustrated, making the reading a pleasant experience. All chapters are written in a clear language making them also accessible to readers from related disciplines or people interested in the general biology and ecology of crustaceans.This book presents N. granulata as ideal model species for future studies on climate change, pollution, habitat degradation, or specie invasions. The distributional range of N. granulata is one of the areas in the world's oceans that have and will continue to experience substantial changes in seawater temperatures. Not surprisingly, N. granulata is increasingly confronted with invasive species, which either have been expanding their geographic ranges or which have been introduced by human activities, e.g. ship transport. Thus, in large parts of its natural habitat N. granulata now cohabits with one of the most aggressive invaders around the world, the shore crab Carcinus maenas. Similarly, N.granulata is exposed to industrial and coastal activities, and one of the chapters in the volume (on endocrine disruption) is examining the effects of pollution on reproductive traits and success in N. granulata. This is the only chapter on anthropogenic impacts on this marvelous little crab from the South-West Atlantic, but future studies on human impacts will be able to build on the enormous and complete knowledge provided in this volume.This volume should be an inspiration for others, who might have similarly rich and integral information on their local crab species ? I could easily envision several well-studied crabs that would merit a similarvolume.In the meantime, the scene is set for Neohelice granulata to serve as model organisms for scientists from different fields and from regions of the world. This book provides investigators with all the basic knowledge needed to thoroughly examine whether and how this common intertidal crab is adapting to the changes occurring in their natural habitats.Fil: Escapa, Carlos Mauricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Fanjul, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Montemayor Borsinger, Diana Ireri. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Giorgini, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Miguez, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Iribarne, Oscar Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Antihypertensive treatment changes and related clinical outcomes in older hospitalized patients

Background: Hypertension management in older patients represents a challenge, particularly when hospitalized. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants and related outcomes of antihypertensive drug prescription in a cohort of older hospitalized patients. Methods: A total of 5671 patients from REPOSI (a prospective multicentre observational register of older Italian in-patients from internal medicine or geriatric wards) were considered; 4377 (77.2%) were hypertensive. Minimum treatment (MT) for hypertension was defined according to the 2018 ESC guidelines [an angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitor (ACE-I) or an angiotensin-receptor-blocker (ARB) with a calcium-channel-blocker (CCB) and/or a thiazide diuretic; if >80 years old, an ACE-I or ARB or CCB or thiazide diuretic]. Determinants of MT discontinuation at discharge were assessed. Study outcomes were any cause rehospitalization/all cause death, all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization/death, CV death, non-CV death, evaluated according to the presence of MT at discharge. Results: Hypertensive patients were older than normotensives, with a more impaired functional status, higher burden of comorbidity and polypharmacy. A total of 2233 patients were on MT at admission, 1766 were on MT at discharge. Discontinuation of MT was associated with the presence of comorbidities (lower odds for diabetes, higher odds for chronic kidney disease and dementia). An adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that MT for hypertension at discharge was associated with lower risk of all-cause death, all-cause death/hospitalization, CV death, CV death/hospitalization and non-CV death. Conclusions: Guidelines-suggested MT for hypertension at discharge is associated with a lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, changes in antihypertensive treatment still occur in a significant proportion of older hospitalized patients

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

non present