Multidisciplinary studies on a sick-leader syndrome-associated mass stranding of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) along the Adriatic coast of Italy

Mass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are rare in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, in 2014 a pod of 7 specimens stranded alive along the Italian coast of the Central Adriatic Sea: 3 individuals died on the beach after a few hours due to internal damages induced by prolonged recumbency; the remaining 4 whales were refloated after great efforts. All the dead animals were genetically related females; one was pregnant. All the animals were infected by dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and the pregnant whale was also affected by a severe nephropathy due to a large kidney stone. Other analyses ruled out other possible relevant factors related to weather conditions or human activities. The results of multidisciplinary post-mortem analyses revealed that the 7 sperm whales entered the Adriatic Sea encountering adverse weather conditions and then kept heading northward following the pregnant but sick leader of the pod, thereby reaching the stranding site. DMV infection most likely played a crucial role in impairing the health condition and orientation abilities of the whales. They did not steer back towards deeper waters, but eventually stranded along the Central Adriatic Sea coastline, a real trap for sperm whales

L\u2019assenza di opere di pronto intervento: l\u2019evoluzione del danno nelle chiese a seguito del danno negli edifici del Centro Italia

The earthquakes that shook the Center of Italy has pointed out the influence of time in emergency operations, especially if we put our attention on cultural heritage and in particular on churches. In many cases the protection of churches was disregarded despite the high number of damage survey and operational judgement. The sequence of high magnitude events after the August 24 first shock produced a damage worsening, sometimes a irremediable damage. In this paper for some churches of Amatrice, the increase of damage after October and January mainshocks are shown, highlighting how the simple emergency intervention needed could be easily performed

Investigation of interfacial properties of supported [BMIM][NTf2] thin films by atomic force microscopy

We report the results of an atomic force microscopy investigation of the morphological and structural properties of thin films of [C4mim][NTf2] ionic liquid on mica, amorphous silica, oxidised Si(110), and highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite. We show that [C4mim][NTf2] forms solid-like ordered structures on these surfaces at room temperature, with a vertical structural periodicity of 0.6 nm. Moreover, we analyse the contact angles of nano-scale [C4mim][NTf2] droplets on the different surfaces and show that they are sensitive to the chemical and morphological environment. Our findings highlight the potentialities of atomic force microscopy for the quantitative investigation of the interfacial properties of thin ionic liquid coatings. The results of this study suggest that at the liquid-solid interface, the structural properties of ionic liquids can be far more complex than those depicted so far, and indicate new fundamental investigations of the forces that drive supported ionic liquids through a liquid-to-solid-like transition

Evidence of extended solidlike layering in [Bmim][NTf2] ionic liquid thin films at room-temperature

We report the direct observation of solidlike ordering at room temperature of thin films of [Bmim][NTf2] ionic liquid on mica, amorphous silica, and oxidized Si(110). A statistical quantitative analysis of atomic force microscopy topographies shows that on these surfaces [Bmim][NTf2] forms layered structures, characterized by a perpendicular structural periodicity of 3c0.6 nm. Remarkably, even the highest structures, up to 50 nm high, behave solidlike against the AFM probe. Conversely, on highly oriented pyrolitic graphite the ionic liquid forms nanometer-sized, liquidlike domains. The results of this study are directly relevant for those applications where ILs are employed in form of thin films supported on solid surfaces, such as in microelectromechanical or microelectronic devices. More generally, they suggest that at the liquid/solid interface the structural properties of ILs can be far more complex than those depicted so far, and prompt new fundamental investigations of the forces that drive supported ILs through a liquidlike-to-solidlike transitio

Progetto di restauro, consolidamento e miglioramento sismico del Duomo di Pienza

Il presente articolo \ue8 volto a descrivere il processo progettuale che ha portato alla definizione dell\u2019intervento di restauro, consolidamento e miglioramento sismico del Duomo di Pienza (SI), redatto su incarico del Ministero dei Beni e delle Attivit\ue0 Culturali e del Turismo - Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici della Toscana. Per una corretta definizione degli interventi di miglioramento sismico di un edificio esistente, assume particolare importanza il percorso di conoscenza del manufatto: per il Duomo di Pienza tale percorso inizia con la sua costruzione nel 1459 in quanto, gi\ue0 durante le fasi di realizzazione, iniziarono a manifestarsi i primi effetti dei dissesti che ancora oggi sono presenti nella zona absidale. Contestualmente al manifestarsi delle prime lesioni iniziarono, infatti, studi approfonditi per determinare le cause e definire interventi di ripristino e consolidamento. L\u2019intervento progettato, che riguarda la copertura della zona absidale, \ue8 stato definito tenendo in considerazione le criticit\ue0 strutturali che caratterizzano il Duomo ed in particolare il dissesto legato al cedimento gravitativo profondo della zona absidale. La filosofia progettuale adottata individua tre distinte aree di intervento, ciascuna caratterizzata da un diverso criterio di definizione delle opere e di controllo del dissesto in atto

Highly ordered growth of alpha-quaterthiophene films by seeded supersonic molecular beam deposition : a morphological study

It is shown that morphology and structure of films of oligothiophenes can be controlled well via supersonic molecular beam epitaxy (SuMBE). The supersonic expansion of oligomers seeded in inert gases makes it possible to tune beam parameters such as kinetic and internal energy, momentum and flux in a range that is shown to play a critical role in the morphology of the surface of the films. By simply varying the seeding in the source, we change the initial state of the oligomers in the beam. In this way, very different morphologies are obtained, ranging from a dendritic-like, typical of a disordered growth, to ordered layered structures. In. this case the terraces observed were characterized by widths on a micron scale and height equal to the molecular length. This last morphology, studied by Atomic Force Microscopy in the tapping mode, is consistent with X-ray diffraction data and the optical response of the same films. These properties are maintained up to unprecedented film thicknesses (greater than or equal to 500 nm)

Up-date sulla gestione del dolore del bambino in Pronto Soccorso

Pain is a frequent symptom in paediatric population, especially in the emergency setting; nevertheless pain is poorly managed in clinical practice. The present paper aims to give an up-to-date analysis concerning paediatric pain in emergency units, as regards epidemiology, assessment, measurement and treatment, through a detailed systematic revision of the literature and an on-going clinical trial assessment carried out by analysing the relevant data available until March 2018. Among the many paediatric pain scales for different ages and situations and according to their efficacy and efficiency, FLACC scale, Wong-Baker scale and FLACC-r or NCCPC-R scale are proposed. Moreover, pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies should always be considered; innovative strategies, new molecules and route of administration allow adequate therapies to be performed in many clinical situations. Emerging data suggest the need to carry out more research on pain prophylaxis, increase opioid drugs prescription in case of severe pain and reduce primary analgesia time. Therefore, an adequate management of pain in paediatric population in the emergency setting is still a goal to achieve. So, innovative organisational arrangements, training strategies addressed to health professionals, information and research are the instruments to imprint a real change in paediatric pain management in emergency units

La messa in sicurezza dei beni monumentali a seguito dell\u2019evento sismico del 30 ottobre 2016: il caso di Norcia

The architectural heritage of Central Italy has been severely damaged by the August-October 2016 earthquakes. The historical centre of the City of Norcia was one of the areas most affected by this seismic event, therefore, right after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake of October 30th, emergency structural interventions have been carried out to preserve two of the main monuments of the town: the Civic Tower and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea. The emergency interventions have been commissioned by the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio dell\u2019Umbria. Temporary structural safety measures have been defined to safeguard the monuments from further collapses and damages in order to maintain the architectural elements that survived from the strong seismic events and to restore public access to the roads adjacent to the damaged monuments waiting for the beginning of the definitive restoration and seismic retrofitting works. The emergency interventions, carried out by the National Fire Corps, have been designed in phases in order to guarantee the operators safety at every stage of the work. This paper is focused on the design criteria and the operational phases that led to the definition and realization of the temporary safety interventions for the two monuments