In vivo real-time recording of UV-induced changes in the autofluorescence of a melanin-containing fungus using a micro-spectrofluorimeter and a low-cost webcam.

An optical epifluorescence microscope, coupled to a CCD camera, a standard webcam and a microspectrofluorimeter, are used to record in vivo real-time changes in the autofluorescence of spores and hyphae in Aspergillus niger, a fungus containing melanin, while exposed to UV irradiation. The results point out major changes in both signal intensity and the spectral shape of the autofluorescence signal after only few minutes of exposure, and can contribute to the interpretation of data obtained with other fluorescence techniques, including those, such as GPF labeling, in which endogenous fluorophores constitute a major disturbance

A fluorescence LIDAR sensor for hyper-spectral time-resolved remote sensing and mapping

In this work we present a LIDAR sensor devised for the acquisition of time resolved laser induced fluorescence spectra. The gating time for the acquisition of the fluorescence spectra can be sequentially delayed in order to achieve fluorescence data that are resolved both in the spectral and temporal domains. The sensor can provide sub-nanometric spectral resolution and nanosecond time resolution. The sensor has also imaging capabilities by means of a computer-controlled motorized steering mirror featuring a biaxial angular scanning with 200 mu radiant angular resolution. The measurement can be repeated for each point of a geometric grid in order to collect a hyper-spectral time-resolved map of an extended target. (C)2013 Optical Society of Americ

New insights into the oenological significance of Candida zemplinina. Impact of selected autochthonous strains on the volatile profile of Apulian wines

In this investigation, we explored the oenological significance of Candida zemplinina (syn. Starmerella bacillaris) isolates from Apulian grape musts. Moreover, we provide the first evidence of the impact of different C. zemplinina strains on the wine aromatic properties tested as monocultures. We described the diversity of C. zemplinina strains isolated from grapes and the variability of ‘volatile’ phenotypes associated with this intraspecific variability. Thirty-three isolates were characterized at strain level by PCR-based approach and, among these, 16 strains were identified and then tested by microfermentation tests carried out in grape must. Analyzed strains were low producers of acetic acid and hydrogen sulphide, not able to decarboxylate a panel of representative amino acids, whereas they showed fructophilic character and significant glycerol production. Volatile profiles of produced wines were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The Odor Activity Values of all molecules were calculated and 12 compounds showed values above their odor thresholds. Two selected strains (35NC1 and 15PR1) could be considered as possible starter cultures since they were able to positively affect the sensory properties of obtained wine. This report firstly supplies evidence on the strain-specific impact of different C. zemplinina strains on the final aroma of produced wines

Epidemiology of Hypoalbuminemia in Hospitalized Patients: A Clinical Matter or an Emerging Public Health Problem?

Serum albumin levels are strongly associated with the morbidity, prognosis, and mortality rates of patients with hypoalbuminemia, which is a frequent problem during hospitalization. An observational retrospective study was carried out to analyze changes in albumin levels in hospitalized patients at the "Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata-PTV" in 2018. The prevalence of preexisting hypoalbuminemia at the time of discharge from hospital was investigated using a sample of 9428 patients. Information was collected from the discharge files recorded in the central informatics system of the hospital. Analysis of albumin levels at admission and at discharge was conducted by classes of albuminemia and then stratified by age. At the time of admission, hypoalbuminemia was found to be present in more than half of the sample, with no sex differences. The serum albumin level tended to decrease with age, with pathologic levels appearing from 50 years and progressive worsening thereafter. The condition of marked and mild hypoalbuminemia was more prevalent in patients over 65 years of age. Our findings suggest that hypoalbuminemia should be considered a dangerous condition in itself and a serious public health problem. We aimed to emphasize the role of albumin as useful marker of the in-hospital malnutrition and frailty, to be integrated in the routinely assessment of patients for reconsidering ad hoc healthcare pathways after discharge from hospital, especially when dealing with fragile populations

Intermediate care units in progressive patient care model: a systematic literature review

Background: Progressive patient care (PPC) has been defined as a systematic classification and segregation of patients based on their medical and nursing needs. Aim of the present research was to perform a systematic literature review about existing medical intermediate care unit organizational models and their performance strengths and weaknesses with a specific focus on Italian implementation, respect to US model. Methods: Databases PubMed, Cinahl, Google and Google Scholar were searched until September 2017. The search was limited to Italian and English studies. All study design are included in the review. Results: Ten studies were included in the review. The American studies showed, after the PPC reorganization, an increase in level of satisfaction and nursing care, a reduction in average length of stay, costs and tensions between nurses and an improvement in nurse-physician communication. An Italian study reported the results of a project carried out in three case studies (Forlì, Foligno and Pontedera hospital), redesigning hospital patient flow logistics around the concept of intensity of care: in all three cases, after the reorganization, an increase in bed occupancy rate (before: 71%,81%,65%; after: 78%,84%,82%, respectively) and in hospital case-mix complexity (average DRG weight - before: 0.99,1.07,1.12; after: 1.19,1.09,1.61, respectively) and a reduction in turn-over ratio (before: 2.5,1.4,2.8; after: 1.5,1.2,1.7, respectively) was recorded. Considering Italian healthcare professionals’ point of view, majority of internists supported a hospital remodeling according to PPC model. Conclusions: The PPC model, theorized in US, has found several applications in Italian regional realities. Improvements in quality of care, appropriateness and productivity in healthcare facilities, that adopted the PPC program, were observed

The SURPRISE demonstrator: a super-resolved compressive instrument in the visible and medium infrared for Earth Observation

While Earth Observation (EO) data has become ever more vital to understanding the planet and addressing societal challenges, applications are still limited by revisit time and spatial resolution. Though low Earth orbit missions can achieve resolutions better than 100 m, their revisit time typically stands at several days, limiting capacity to monitor dynamic events. Geostationary (GEO) missions instead typically provide data on an hour-basis but with spatial resolution limited to 1 km, which is insufficient to understand local phenomena. In this paper, we present the SURPRISE project - recently funded in the frame of the H2020 programme – that gathers the expertise from eight partners across Europe to implement a demonstrator of a super-spectral EO payload - working in the visible (VIS) - Near Infrared (NIR) and in the Medium InfraRed (MIR) and conceived to operate from GEO platform -with enhanced performance in terms of at-ground spatial resolution, and featuring innovative on-board data processing and encryption functionalities. This goal will be achieved by using Compressive Sensing (CS) technology implemented via Spatial Light Modulators (SLM). SLM-based CS technology will be used to devise a super-resolution configuration that will be exploited to increase the at-ground spatial resolution of the payload, without increasing the number of detector’s sensing elements at the image plane. The CS approach will offer further advantages for handling large amounts of data, as is the case of superspectral payloads with wide spectral and spatial coverage. It will enable fast on-board processing of acquired data for information extraction, as well as native data encryption on top of native compression. SURPRISE develops two disruptive technologies: Compressive Sensing (CS) and Spatial Light Modulator (SLM). CS optimises data acquisition (e.g. reduced storage and transmission bandwidth requirements) and enables novel onboard processing and encryption functionalities. SLM here implements the CS paradigm and achieves a super-resolution architecture. SLM technology, at the core of the CS architecture, is addressed by: reworking and testing off-the-shelf parts in relevant environment; developing roadmap for a European SLM, micromirror array-type, with electronics suitable for space qualification. By introducing for the first time the concept of a payload with medium spatial resolution (few hundreds of meters) and near continuous revisit (hourly), SURPRISE can lead to a EO major breakthrough and complement existing operational services. CS will address the challenge of large data collection, whilst onboard processing will improve timeliness, shortening time needed to extract information from images and possibly generate alarms. Impact is relevant to industrial competitiveness, with potential for market penetration of the demonstrator and its components

Laser-Induced Thermography for Quantitative Detection of Cracks in Building Materials

Laser-induced thermography is a an active technique using a laser source to heat a very small area on a side of a crack in a building material. The presence of a crack is easily detected as a sharp change in the temperature due to its insulating nature, but no information about its depth is directly available from the thermal image. The method described in this paper uses a heuristic form of the temperature on the surface of the heated specimen, which is transformed to a two-dimensional distribution. Then, a relation is used (called β -tool) between the thermal gap across the crack and the unknown depth of the damage. The purpose is that of making it possible to distinguish between shallow and deep fractures (more than 15mm deep)

A Compact LIF Spectrometer for in-Field Operation in Polar Environments

We present a compact laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrometer prototype (SFIDA–405) designed for in-field operation in polar environments. It uses 405 nm excitation to acquire LIF spectra in the 450–930 nm spectral range on a solid surface via an optical-fiber coupled measurement head. The prototype (battery powered; module + measurement head weight: 2. The instrument was successfully tested during two summer field campaigns in the Arctic (Svalbard Islands) and Antarctic (Southern Victoria Land) regions for studying biological soil crusts. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first LIF spectrometer used in situ in Antarctica to acquire LIF spectra directly on biological soil crusts. Finally, the paper also suggests the use of the SFIDA–405 prototype for different application fields

A Compact LIF Spectrometer for in-Field Operation in Polar Environments

We present a compact laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrometer prototype (SFIDA–405) designed for in-field operation in polar environments. It uses 405 nm excitation to acquire LIF spectra in the 450–930 nm spectral range on a solid surface via an optical-fiber coupled measurement head. The prototype (battery powered; module + measurement head weight: <1.6 kg) is controlled via a military-grade smartphone and has a limit of detection for chlorophyll better than 5 ng/cm2. The instrument was successfully tested during two summer field campaigns in the Arctic (Svalbard Islands) and Antarctic (Southern Victoria Land) regions for studying biological soil crusts. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first LIF spectrometer used in situ in Antarctica to acquire LIF spectra directly on biological soil crusts. Finally, the paper also suggests the use of the SFIDA–405 prototype for different application fields

Experimental Tests for Fluorescence LIDAR Remote Sensing of Submerged Plastic Marine Litter

Marine plastic litter has become a global challenge, affecting all regions of the planet, with massive plastic input to the marine environment every year. Novel remote sensing methods can greatly contribute to face this complex issue with their ability to provide large-scale data. Here we present experimental tests exploring the potential of the hyperspectral fluorescence LIDAR technique for the detection and characterization of plastics when plunged into a layer of natural water. The experiments were carried out in the laboratory by using an in-house developed fluorescence hyperspectral LIDAR with 355 nm excitation from a distance of 11 m on weathered commercial plastic samples plunged into natural water. Results showed the capability of the technique to detect the fluorescence features of several types of plastics, also when plunged into water, and to decouple it from the fluorescence due to colored dissolved organic matter and from Raman scattering due to water molecules. Discrimination of plastics against other marine debris, e.g., vegetation and wood, has also been discussed. The study lays a basis for fluorescence LIDAR remote sensing of plastics in marine environment and paves the way to the detection of MPL also in conditions (e.g., submerged or transparent plastics) that are likely to be challenging by using other passive remote sensing techniques