Investigating the use of UAV systems for photogrammetric applications : a case study of Ramla Bay (Gozo, Malta)

In this study, we present the 3D digital model of Ramla Bay (Gozo) obtained by using photograms taken from drones. The high-resolution 3D model of Ramla Bay allowed the construction of a detailed Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Comparison of an earlier LIDAR data derived DEM (ERDF 156 Data, 2013) and the photogrammetric DEM developed in this study allowed to make preliminary observations regarding the potential evolution of the coastal area over the last 5 years. This study serves as a proof of concept to demonstrate that coastal evolution can be quantitatively analysed in terms of changes of the sand dune systems. Furthermore, the technique used in this paper represents a good compromise in terms of cost effectiveness and a valid substitute for laser scanner survey. It is also useful for monitoring the dynamics of the beach-dune system and the characterization of the coast for the mitigation of coastal erosion.peer-reviewe

Individually Tailored Screening of Susceptibility to Sarcopenia Using p53 Codon 72 Polymorphism, Phenotypes, and Conventional Risk Factors

Background and Aim. p53 activity plays a role in muscle homeostasis and skeletal muscle differentiation; all pathways that lead to sarcopenia are related to p53 activities. We investigate the allelic frequency of the TP53 codon 72 in exon 4 polymorphism in the Italian female population and the association with appendicular skeletal muscle mass index in normal weight (NW), normal weight obese (NWO), and preobese-obese (Preob-Ob) subjects. Methods. We evaluated anthropometry, body composition, and p53 polymorphism in 140 women distinguished in NW, NWO, and Preob-Ob. Results. ∗Arg/∗Arg genotype increases sarcopenia risk up to 20% (∗Arg/∗Arg genotype OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 0.48–2.9; ∗proallele carriers OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.83–2.06). The risk of being sarcopenic for ∗Arg/∗Arg genotype in NWO and Preob-Ob is 31% higher than NW carriers of ∗proallele (RR = 0,31, 95% CI = 0,15–0,66, P = 0,0079). We developed a model able to predict sarcopenia risk based on age, body fat, and p53 polymorphism. Conclusion. Our study evidences that genotyping TP53 polymorphism could be a useful new genetic approach, in association with body composition evaluations, to assess sarcopenia risk

Effects of dark chocolate in a population of Normal Weight Obese women: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Normal weight obese (NWO) syndrome is defined as an excessive body fat associated with a normal body mass index and characterized by a higher risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have demonstrated that dark chocolate (DC) has beneficial effects in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of DC consumption on lipid profile, inflammatory markers, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure, in NWO women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 women affected by NWO syndrome, aged 20-40 years, were included in the study. After a DC-free washout period, subjects received DC (100 g/die) containing 70% cocoa for 7-days. Body composition by Dual energy-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed at baseline. Blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and plasma levels of some cytokines were measured before and after DC consumption. RESULTS: After DC consumption, we observed a significant increase in the HDL cholesterol level (Delta% = +10.41±13,53; p ≤ 0.05), a significant decrease of total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (Delta %= -11.45±7.03; p ≤ 0.05), LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio (Delta % = -11.70±8.91; p ≤ 0.05), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) (Delta % = -32.99±3.84; p ≤ 0.05). In addition, a reduction in abdomen circumference was observed. We also found a positive correlation between changes in atherogenic indices, and IL-1Ra, abdomen reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that regular consumption of DC could be useful in maintaining a good atherogenic profile, due to the favourable effects on HDL cholesterol, lipoprotein ratios and inflammation markers

Use of microorganisms in the removal of pollutants from the wastewater

The aims of this thesis were to test the adsorption efficiency of cyanobacterial biomasses of polysaccharide producing strains and to realize a pilot plant for galvanic waste treatment based on biosorption. First of all the different strains were tested at laboratory scale with solutions containing one or more metals, in order to gradually approach the reality of galvanic industries, where several metals at different concentrations are present at the same time in the wastes. To realize the pilot plant we tried to combine the protocols established during laboratory experiments with the necessities of the final user, the industry, by designing and realizing three prototypes. It was moreover evaluated the possibility to recover the adsorbed metal in a form easy and convenient for recycling

Use of microorganisms in the removal of pollutants from the wastewater

The aims of this thesis were to test the adsorption efficiency of cyanobacterial biomasses of polysaccharide producing strains and to realize a pilot plant for galvanic waste treatment based on biosorption. First of all the different strains were tested at laboratory scale with solutions containing one or more metals, in order to gradually approach the reality of galvanic industries, where several metals at different concentrations are present at the same time in the wastes. To realize the pilot plant we tried to combine the protocols established during laboratory experiments with the necessities of the final user, the industry, by designing and realizing three prototypes. It was moreover evaluated the possibility to recover the adsorbed metal in a form easy and convenient for recycling

High-spin structure of the nucleus 43Sc

openStudio della struttura nucleare dello 43Sc. Sono analizzati i dati di un esperimento di spettroscopia gamma realizzato presso il laboratorio JYFL, in Finlandia. Questo nucleo, vicino alla linea N=Z, presenta una struttura coerente con una forma sferica a bassa energia e una banda rotazionale collettiva fino ad alto momento angolare. Entrambe le strutture sono interpretate con calcoli di modello a shell nucleare in uno spazio di modello che include due shell principali.Study of the nuclear structure of the 43Sc. Data from a gamma spectroscopy experiment carried out at the JYFL laboratory in Finland is analysed. This nucleus, near to the N=Z line, has a structure at low energy coherent with a spherical shape and a collective rotational band up to high angular momentum. Both structures are interpreted with nuclear shell model calculations in a model space including two main shells

Use of microorganisms in the removal of pollutants from the wastewater

The aims of this thesis were to test the adsorption efficiency of cyanobacterial biomasses of polysaccharide producing strains and to realize a pilot plant for galvanic waste treatment based on biosorption. First of all the different strains were tested at laboratory scale with solutions containing one or more metals, in order to gradually approach the reality of galvanic industries, where several metals at different concentrations are present at the same time in the wastes. To realize the pilot plant we tried to combine the protocols established during laboratory experiments with the necessities of the final user, the industry, by designing and realizing three prototypes. It was moreover evaluated the possibility to recover the adsorbed metal in a form easy and convenient for recycling

Use of microorganisms in the removal of pollutants from the wastewater

The aims of this thesis were to test the adsorption efficiency of cyanobacterial biomasses of polysaccharide producing strains and to realize a pilot plant for galvanic waste treatment based on biosorption. First of all the different strains were tested at laboratory scale with solutions containing one or more metals, in order to gradually approach the reality of galvanic industries, where several metals at different concentrations are present at the same time in the wastes. To realize the pilot plant we tried to combine the protocols established during laboratory experiments with the necessities of the final user, the industry, by designing and realizing three prototypes. It was moreover evaluated the possibility to recover the adsorbed metal in a form easy and convenient for recycling