Innovations in Mechanization and Control Systems of Production in Olive Sector

The rapid and sweeping changes occurred in the last few years in the world have been crucial driving forces behind the evolution of olive growing practices on a global scale. These drives to change are gradually modifying the traditional olive growing scenarios thanks to the successful advent of a modern mechanized and specialized olive orchard cultivation where resource efficiency improvements and production cost reduction have become mandatory. In particular, the olive growing innovation process is based on a model referred to as “super intensive”, whose main advantage lies in highly-efficient mechanized harvesting operations performed uninterruptedly by means of the same grape harvesters long used to collect grapes. At renewal that affects models cultivation joins the growing attention paid to quality control and food safety are crucial in order to increase the competitiveness of products and improve the level of acceptance of same by consumers. "Traceability" is the key word today on the food scene, presenting as a tool of ompetitiveness and rationalization of production systems and enhancement of  uality productions. The present study is intended to explore both olive growing innovation process and its quality control systems, by a series of tests conducted in Spain and in Italy. The results obtained have shown that super intensive olive orchard cultivation presents clear advantages in terms of abatement of hours of work, which is meant to contain costs and reach appropriate levels of productivity while safeguarding olive quality. It appears also that, in response to growing demands for food security and enhancement of food production, a system of traceability can ensure accuracy and speed of transmission of  guarantee of quality

Innovations in Mechanization and Control Systems of Production in Olive Sector

The rapid and sweeping changes occurred in the last few years in the world have been crucial driving forces behind the evolution of olive growing practices on a global scale. These drives to change are gradually modifying the traditional olive growing scenarios thanks to the successful advent of a modern mechanized and specialized olive orchard cultivation where resource efficiency improvements and production cost reduction have become mandatory. In particular, the olive growing innovation process is based on a model referred to as “super intensive”, whose main advantage lies in highly-efficient mechanized harvesting operations performed uninterruptedly by means of the same grape harvesters long used to collect grapes. At renewal that affects models cultivation joins the growing attention paid to quality control and food safety are crucial in order to increase the competitiveness of products and improve the level of acceptance of same by consumers. "Traceability" is the key word today on the food scene, presenting as a tool of competitiveness and rationalization of production systems and enhancement of quality productions. The present study is intended to explore both olive growing innovation process and its quality control systems, by a series of tests conducted in Spain and in Italy. The results obtained have shown that super intensive olive orchard cultivation presents clear advantages in terms of abatement of hours of work, which is meant to contain costs and reach appropriate levels of productivity while safeguarding olive quality. It appears also that, in response to growing demands for food security and enhancement of food production, a system of traceability can ensure accuracy and speed of transmission of a guarantee of quality. Keywords: Super intensive olive growing, grape harvesters, traceability, food safety, Italy

The Diameter Distribution of the Stem Villi Arteries Does Not Discriminate between Normal and Intra Uterine Growth Restricted Placentas

The distribution of the stem villi arteries and arterioles diameter was evaluated on histological sections from 6 normal (control) and 8 Intrauterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) placentas. No significant difference between the diameter distributions was found. This result can be due either to a similar pattern in vascularization or to the inadequacy of the diameter distribution in showing existing differences. Further investigation is needed to make a distinction between these two hypotheses. A multiparametric model is proposed, which predicts the diameter distribution that is expected when a few parameters (describing the vessel geometry and the tree branching structure) are varied in their normal range. The diameter distribution is shown to slightly change or not to change at all when important parameters, such as the vessel asymmetry, are changed. We conclude thatthe diameter distribution is insensitive to variation in certain placental structural parameters. A reliable analysis of the stem villi vasculature in normal and TUGR placentas cannot be based on the comparison of the respective diameter distributions alone

Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases: A current perspective

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a large and diverse group of rare and chronic respiratory disorders, with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) being the most common and best-studied member. Increasing interest in fibrosis as a therapeutic target and the appreciation that fibrotic mechanisms may be a treatable target of IPF prompted the development and subsequent approval of the antifibrotics, pirfenidone and nintedanib. The management of ILDs has changed considerably following an understanding that IPF and some ILDs share similar disease behavior of progressive fibrosis, termed “progressive fibrosing phenotype”. Indeed, antifibrotic treatment has shown to be beneficial in ILDs characterized by the progressive fibrosing phenotype. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge in the field of progressive fibrosing ILDs. Here, we discuss the clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and highlight relevant literature concerning the mechanisms underlying progressive fibrosing ILDs. We also summarize current diagnostic approaches and the available treatments of progressive fibrosing ILDs and address the optimization of treating progressive fibrosing ILDs with antifibrotics in clinical practice

Fiber-reinforced lightweight foamed concrete panels suitable for 3D printing applications

This contribution presents a set of experimental results on fiber-reinforced innovative lightweight panels (FRIL-panels) having thickness of 12mm. These panels are prepared with a peculiar foamed concrete that has a high viscosity and cohesion in the fresh state, which makes it particularly suitable for 3D printing applications. The FRIL-panels can be used for internal partitions, external infills, and suspended ceilings of buildings as more effective solutions than conventional plasterboard ones, with better thermal insulation and acoustic absorption properties due to the internal air-void microstructure. The aim of this work is to investigate the out-of-plane resistance of FRIL-panels, prepared with a density of 800kg/m3, under displacement-controlled three-point bending tests. In view of potential use in the precast industry, the FRIL-panels were placed into an accelerated concrete curing tank so as to speed up the overall production process. Modulus of rupture, ultimate deflection and collapse mode of FRIL-panels are critically analysed and discussed

Countering the Australian 'ndrangheta: The criminalisation of mafia behaviour in Australia between national and comparative criminal law

Mafia-type criminal groups belonging to, or originated from, the Calabrian ‘ndrangheta from Southern Italy, have been object of recent academic research and media attention in Australia. The Australian ‘ndrangheta, as qualified form of organised crime, poses new challenges for law enforcement in the country. This paper briefly looks at the strategies to fight organised crime in Australia, with specific focus on anti-association laws. By using a comparative approach, the paper will look at the criminalisation of mafias as qualified forms of organised crime in other two jurisdictions, Italy and the USA, to advocate for an effective mafia criminalisation in Australia. In conclusion, this paper will argue that, in order to also fight mafia phenomena, criminal law in Australia should focus on behaviours of organised crime groups rather than only on the criminalisation of proscribed associations and their illegal activities