Archeologia delle alte quote sulla montagna veneta: la campagna di ricognizione di superficie 2019 a Recoaro Terme (Vicenza)

In this paper we present the preliminary results of the 2019 field survey conducted in the framework of the project \u201cBeyond the border. Study and enhancement of the highlands between Veneto and Trentino\u201d. The aim of this overarching project, which applies a multidisciplinary approach, is threefold: to detect in this mountain landscape the main activity areas and reconstruct possible connections between them; to analyse the long-term relationships between Trentino and Prealpine Veneto from prehistory to the present day; and to study the evolving function of this frontier area during periods of conflict/interaction. Several methods were employed to shed light on the above-mentioned research aims: field-walking survey, analysis of aerial photos, ethnographic and archival research, GIS-based landscape analysis and predictive modelling, and LiDAR data for feature detection in wooded areas. The combined use of all these approaches allowed us to identify long-term exploitation activities, which are documented also by both the ethnographic and archaeological data. The major periods of conflict in these areas are also highlighted in the archaeological record. The 2019-survey campaign opens up new research directions such as the future excavation of Bronze Age occupation zones; network and connectivity analysis between Prealpine Veneto and Trentino; hillforts and their interaction with the highlands

Gender- and age-related changes in three dimensional facial profiles of healthy Northern Sudanese persons

The study aimed to provide quantitative information about gender-related normative data and growth changes between childhood and young adulthood in the soft tissue facial profiles of Northern Sudanese individuals. The three dimensional coordinates of 50 landmarks on the facial soft tissues were obtained using a hand-held laser scanner in 654 healthy Northern Sudanese subjects (327 males and 327 females) aged 4-30 years. The subjects were divided into 8 nonoverlapping age groups [1]. From selected landmarks, 15 facial angles were calculated and averaged for gender and age: upper, middle, and lower facial, and mandibular corpus convexities in the horizontal plane; relative position of the exocanthia and nasion; facial convexity in the sagittal plane; midfacial to mandibular plane, nasal convexity, nasolabial, mentolabial, interlabial, maxillary prominence, and left and right gonial angles. Comparisons were performed by factorial analysis of variance. On average men had larger facial and mandibular corpus convexities in the horizontal plane than women (ANOVA, p<0.01); on the contrary, no gender differences were found for facial convexities in the sagittal plane. Gender significantly influenced also the relative position of exocanthia and nasion, the maxillary prominence angle and the gonial angles (p<0.01). All analysed measurements were influenced by age (p<0.001): nasal convexity and interlabial angle increased from childhood to young adulthood, while mentolabial and gonial angles, horizontal facial convexity and sagittal facial convexity including the nose decreased as a function of age. No consistent age-related patterns were found for the other evaluated angles. Data collected in the current study can be used as a database for the quantitative description of facial profiles in Northern Sudanese subjects during normal growth and development

Facial anthropometry in Northern Sudanese persons from childhood to young adulthood

A deep knowledge of the dimensions and relative positions of facial structures in the different age, gender and ethnic groups, is necessary for a complete anatomical description as well as for a correct reconstruction of the global facial appearance, both for surgical and forensic purposes. No current normative data exist for Northern Sudanese subjects. Sudan is the second largest country in Africa, and it has a multiethnic population, with four major ethnic groups: those of Arab descent in the North, Nilotic tribes in the South, West African tribes in the region of Darfur and Eastern Tribes [1]. In the current study information about normal sex- and age-related linear distances was provided. The three-dimensional coordinates of 14 landmarks on the facial soft tissues were obtained using a hand-held laser scanner in 653 healthy Northern Sudanese subjects (326 males and 327 females) aged 4 to 30 years. From the landmarks, 13 linear distances were calculated, and averaged for age and sex. Comparisons were performed by factorial analysis of variance. All analyzed linear soft-tissue facial dimensions were significantly larger in men than in women (p < 0.05), except mouth width (ch-ch), upper facial height (n-sn) and mandibular corpus length (pg-go). All measurements underwent significant modifications as a function of age (p < 0.01), with significant age x sex interactions (p < 0.01) for all linear dimensions except lower face height (sn-pg). Overall, when compared to literature data for African and Caucasoid subjects, several differences were found, pointing to the necessity of ethnic-specific data [2]. Data collected in the present investigation could serve as a database for the quantitative description of human facial morphology during normal growth and development

Do environmental factors such as weather conditions and air pollution influence COVID-19 outbreaks?

The first major outbreaks of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were seen in a narrow latitude band in areas sharing similar meteorological conditions and having high levels of air pollution. A large number of scientific studies have addressed the possible relationship between meteorological conditions, air pollution and COVID-19 pandemics. In this report we provide a critical overview of selected studies. We further evaluate the importance of air pollution for the transmission of COVID-19 by aerosols in the ambient outdoor conditions, provide an estimate of the upper bound for the impact of air pollution on the COVID-19 mortality and maps showing the probability of the occurrence of potentially favourable environmental conditions over Europe during the year.JRC.C.5-Air and Climat

Morphometric parameters for nasal septum deviation identification in CBCT data

Advances in the upper airway imaging allow to better evaluate and understand their morphology, pathology and mechanics [1]. In particular, Cone beam CT technology (CBCT), with its isotropic spatial resolution, undistorted images, X-ray lower radiation exposure, versatility and relatively low cost, takes over other imaging modalities [2]. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether CBCT scans can be valuable tools for the extraction of quantitative parameters to confirm the deviation of the nasal septum in a specific patient. First, we assessed the difference in angle of septal deviation, calculated as proposed by Orhan et al., among a control group and a patient group [3]. Subsequently, we evaluated the percentage difference between the volume of the upper airways in the right side and left side of the nose in the same sample. The measurements were performed on 23 CBCT scans of Caucasian adult women, divided into 7 control subjects and 16 patients. The results demonstrate that there is a significant difference both in the deviation angle (p<0.05) and in the volume difference between healthy and patient subjects (p<0.001). Duplicate measurements of the deviation angle and the volume found no significant difference (p>0.05); random errors explained 0.77% (angle) and 0.99% (volume) of the sample variance. Paired Student’s t tests were used for comparisons. In particular, the volume difference appears to be less sensitive to the presence of isolated cartilaginous ridges that increase the angle of deviation even if the septum is not pathological. This makes it more suited to the identification of this pathology. The obtained outcomes are encouraging and it is advisable to continue the study on a larger sample

Facial soft-tissue volumes in adult Northern Sudanese individuals with Down syndrome

Objective: To investigate dimensions and ratios of soft-tissue facial volumes of adult Northern Sudanese subjects with Down syndrome by using computerized anthropometric measurements. Design, Setting, and Patients: The 3D coordinates of soft-tissue facial landmarks were obtained by a computerized digitizer in 26 Northern Sudanese adult subjects with Down syndrome (18 men, 8 women, aged 17-34 years), and in 99 healthy Northern Sudanese controls (48 women, 51 men) of the same age range. From the landmarks, several facial volumes and volume ratios were calculated. Data were compared to those collected in healthy individuals by computing z-scores. Results: In subjects with Down syndrome, facial volumes were significantly smaller than in control subjects (Student’s t, p < 0.05). The patterns of deviation from the norm were similar in men and women. When compared to controls, subjects with Down syndrome had no differences in nose volume as a fraction of total facial volume and a larger total lip volume as a fraction of total facial volume; within the facial middle third, they had relatively larger upper lip volumes and relatively smaller nose volumes. Conclusions: The facial soft-tissue structures of subjects with Down syndrome differed from those of normal controls of the same age, sex and ethnic group: a reduced facial size was coupled with specific variations in the nasal and labial regions

Three-dimensional facial morphometry in patients rehabilitated with implant-supported prostheses

The aim of the present study was to assess a low-cost, non-invasive facial morphometric digitizer to assist the practitioner in three-dimensional soft-tissue changes before and after oral rehabilitation. The method should provide quantitative data to support an objective assessment of the facial esthetic outcome [1]. Twenty-two patients aged 45-82 years, all with edentulous maxilla and mandible, were assessed both before and after receiving their definitive complete implant-supported prostheses (each received 4-11 implants in each dental arch; full-arch fixed prostheses were made). The three-dimensional coordinates of 50 soft-tissue facial landmarks were collected with a non-invasive digitizer; labial and facial areas, volumes, angles and distances were compared without/ with the prostheses [2]. Dental prostheses induced significant reductions in the nasolabial, mentolabial and interlabial angles, with increased labial prominence (p<0.05, Wilcoxon test). Lip vermilion area and volume significantly increased; significant increments were found in the vertical and anteroposterior labial dimensions. The presence of the dental prostheses significantly (p<0.001) modified the three-dimensional positions of several soft-tissue facial landmarks. The current approach enabled quantitative evaluation of the final soft-tissue results of oral rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses, without submitting the patients to invasive procedures. The method could assess the three-dimensional appearance of the facial soft tissues of the patient while planning the provisional prosthetic restoration, providing quantitative information to prepare the best definitive prosthesis. Dote ricerca: FSE, Regione Lombardi

Comparison of direct linear measurements on dental plaster cast and digital measurements obtained from laser scanner and Cone-Beam CT dental models

Different dental imaging technologies are now daily used in clinical practice to evaluate oral anatomy. These new techniques allow to replace dental plaster casts with digital models that are easier to manage and store. Such models can be acquired with optical methods like laser scanner, stereophotogrammetry and intraoral scanner or reconstructed by 3D CT or CBCT images [1]. Since these digital casts are used in clinical routine, it is important to evaluate accuracy and reliability of measurements taken from them, in relation to traditional methods [2]. We wanted to compare linear measurements taken on digital models obtained from CBCT images and laser scanner surfaces, with direct measurements obtained with digital calliper on dental plaster casts. Data from 6 adult Caucasian subjects with full dentition, no history of implant surgery and without dental filling were obtained. The absence of implants and metal fillings was selected as inclusion criterion to reduce the presence of metal artefacts that can affect the measurement process. All patients were retrospectively selected from a clinical database and underwent CBCT examination for clinical reasons uncorrelated with this study. Six dental distances in the upper and six in the lower jaw were examined: the mesio-distal distance of teeth 21, 23, 24 and 26, the palatal-vestibular distance of teeth 24 and 26, and the corresponding distances on teeth 41, 43, 44 and 46. All measurements were performed using: 1) a digital calliper on dental plaster casts; 2) a virtual calliper on digital models obtained from CBCT images; and 3) a virtual calliper on laser scanner surfaces. Kruskal-Wallis test compared measurements performed with the 3 different techniques. There was no statistical significant difference among different techniques for all measurements (p>0.05) except for one distance, the mesio-distal distance of tooth 24 (

Resonant band hybridization in alloyed transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers

Bandstructure engineering using alloying is widely utilised for achieving optimised performance in modern semiconductor devices. While alloying has been studied in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, its application in van der Waals heterostructures built from atomically thin layers is largely unexplored. Here, we fabricate heterobilayers made from monolayers of WSe$_2$ (or MoSe$_2$) and Mo$_x$W$_{1-x}$Se$_2$ alloy and observe nontrivial tuning of the resultant bandstructure as a function of concentration $x$. We monitor this evolution by measuring the energy of photoluminescence (PL) of the interlayer exciton (IX) composed of an electron and hole residing in different monolayers. In Mo$_x$W$_{1-x}$Se$_2$/WSe$_2$, we observe a strong IX energy shift of $\approx$100 meV for $x$ varied from 1 to 0.6. However, for $x<0.6$ this shift saturates and the IX PL energy asymptotically approaches that of the indirect bandgap in bilayer WSe$_2$. We theoretically interpret this observation as the strong variation of the conduction band K valley for $x>0.6$, with IX PL arising from the K-K transition, while for $x<0.6$, the bandstructure hybridization becomes prevalent leading to the dominating momentum-indirect K-Q transition. This bandstructure hybridization is accompanied with strong modification of IX PL dynamics and nonlinear exciton properties. Our work provides foundation for bandstructure engineering in van der Waals heterostructures highlighting the importance of hybridization effects and opening a way to devices with accurately tailored electronic properties.Comment: Supporting Information can be found downloading and extracting the gzipped tar source file listed under "Other formats