Metabolic correlates of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measured by ultrasonography: a comparison with waist circumference

Background: The relative contribution of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue to cardiometabolic disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether dissecting abdominal fat in VAT and SAT using US may detect stronger and more specific association with MS, MS components, hyperuricemia and altered liver enzymes compared to waist circumference. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 2414 subjects aged 18 to 66 years (71 % women) followed at the International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS, Milan, Italy). VAT and SAT were measured using ultrasonography. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for age and gender was used to evaluate the association of the parameters of interest (waist circumference (WC), VAT, SAT and VAT + SAT) with the MS (international harmonized definition), its components (high triglycerides, low HDL, high blood pressure, high glucose), high uric acid (>= 7 mg/dl), high alanine transaminase (ALT, >= 30 U/l) and high gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT, >= 30 U/l). Results: VAT was independently associated with all the outcomes of interest, while SAT was independently associated with MS and only with high blood pressure and high ALT when we considered the single parameters of MS and NAFLD. VAT had the strongest association with high triglycerides, high ALT and high GGT. The VAT + SAT association had the strongest association with MS. WC had the strongest association with low HDL and high blood pressure. VAT and WC were similarly associated to high glucose and high uric acid. Conclusion: US-determined VAT and SAT are both independently associated with MS. Moreover, to our knowledge, we are the first to show that VAT, being associated to all of the MS components in addition to hyperuricemia and altered liver enzymes, performs equally or better than WC except for high blood pressure and low HDL

Total synthesis and absolute configuration assignment of MRSA active garcinol and isogarcinol

A short total synthesis of (±)-garcinol and (±)-isogarcinol, two endo-type B PPAPs with reported activity against methiciline resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is presented. The separation of framework-constructing from framework-decorating steps and the application of two highly regio- and stereoselective Pd-catalysed allylations, that is, the Pd-catalysed decarboxylative Tsuji-Trost allylation and the diastereoselective Pd-catalysed allyl-allyl cross-coupling, are key elements that allowed the total synthesis to be accomplished within 13 steps starting from acetylacetone. After separation of the enantiomers the absolute configurations of the four natural products (i.e., (-)-garcinol, (+)-guttiferone E (i.e., ent-garcinol), (-)-isogarcinol, and (+)-isoxanthochymol (i.e., ent-isogarcinol)) were assigned based on ECD spectroscopy.Fil: Socolsky, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Plietker, Bernd . Universität Stuttgart. Institut für Organische Chemie; Alemani

Temporal Aspects in IS Research: Older People and Technology from a Temporal Perspective

In this position paper I present my PhD project - dealing with the relation between technology (ICTs and ATs) and older people – from a temporal perspective.In my research, a temporal perspective is useful both in the study of the process of aging and in the studies of gerotechnologies. In particular, in this position paper I take into account two concepts proposed by Barbara Adam (1990, 2004, 2009): timescape and futurescape. Timescapes identifies the combination of the irreducible elements involved in time. Amongst these, my analysis is focused on three elements: timing, tempo, temporal modalities. Futurescape is a useful theoretical tool to account for the social and historical features of our lives. In the paper I consider this concept from two different standpoints: present future and future present (Luhman, 1981; Adam and Groves, 2007). At the end, I propose to study the role played by ICTs and ATs as objects linking past, present and future

Electrification pathways of the Italian residential sector under socio-demographic constrains: looking towards 2040

What are the required costs to sustain the electrification of the residential sector? What are the achievable primary energy savings? This paper tries to answer these questions, for the Italian residential sector, by providing coupled energetical and economic evaluations of the electrification pathways. To this end, this paper extends MOIRAE, a bottom-up modelling approach previously proposed by the authors. First, the input data have been upgraded by coupling, using ad-hoc statistical methods, different datasets provided by the Italian Institute of Statistics. Second, to estimate households' time-variation, a socio-demographic model has been developed, validated, and implemented. Third, an economic model of fixed and variable costs for electrical and thermal appliances has been implemented. Subsequently, the modelling approach has been calibrated against detailed consumption data for the different Italian regions and validated against historical data. Finally, MOIRAE has been employed to unveil the electrification pathways with and without household budget constraints, aiming at replacing natural gas, LPG, diesel, and fuel oil energy carriers with electrical energy. For the different scenarios investigated, the changes in primary energy consumptions and the variation of variable and fixed costs have been included to consider both the energetic and the economic point of view

Discussion on Assessing Predictability of Environmental Time Series With Statistical and Machine Learning Models

Building on the insights from Bonas et al. (2024), we explore the relationship between statistical and machine learning models in the analysis of environmental time series. We specifically address the unique challenges of environmental time series data, including the need to consider the multivariate approach and account for spatial dependence. Emphasizing the importance of various types of statistical inference in environmental studies—not limited to forecasting—we propose that viewing statistical and machine learning approaches as complementary rather than alternative methods can unlock innovative modeling strategies that enhance both predictive accuracy and interpretive power. To illustrate these concepts, we present a case study that highlights the key points raised in the discussion

Le percezioni degli abitanti nella rappresentazione dei luoghi di un quartiere di Bergamo

Il presente contributo intende presentare la metodologia di ricerca elaborata per indagare la qualità dell’abitare, concentrandosi sulla scala di quartiere di una città italiana di medie dimensioni, nello specifico la città di Bergamo. L’approccio metodologico utilizzato si basa sull’impiego della cartografia come sistema comunicativo complesso, permettendo una valutazione “a priori” di dati socio-territoriali che sono stati acquisiti da fonti come la cartografia storica e i dati statistici. Questa raccolta di informazioni è stata successivamente sottoposta a una metodologia di analisi “a posteriori”. Una volta individuato il quartiere per l’indagine, si è intrapresa una consultazione mirata delle “persone-risorsa”, abitanti del quartiere. L’obiettivo di questa fase è stato quello di mettere in evidenza le peculiarità dei luoghi, associati sia a sentimenti di affinità con essi (topofilia), che di avversione (topofobia). In altre parole, si è cercato di identificare le aree che contribuiscono in maniera positiva alla valorizzazione del quartiere e, viceversa, quelle che rappresentano criticità, in termini sociali e comunitari. Si è proposta una “narrazione” del senso sociale dei luoghi del quartiere mediante la cartografia, le parole degli abitanti e le fotografie scattate durante i sopralluoghi. Tale rappresentazione è strumento di valorizzazione del patrimonio materiale e immateriale del territorio e premessa per un processo di governance.This contribution intends to present the research methodology developed to investigate the quality of living, focusing on the neighborhood scale of a medium-sized Italian city, specifically the city of Bergamo. The methodological approach employed is based on the use of cartography as a complex communicative system, allowing an “a priori” evaluation of socio-territorial data that was acquired from sources such as historical cartography and statistical data. This collection of information was subsequently subjected to an “a posteriori” analysis methodology. Once the neighborhood selected for the survey had been identified, a targeted consultation of the neighborhood’s resident resource persons was undertaken. The aim of this phase was to highlight the peculiarities of places associated with feelings of affinity with places (topophilia) or aversion (topophobia). In other words, an attempt was made to identify the areas that contribute positively to the enhancement of the neighborhood and, conversely, those that are critical in social and community terms. A narrative of these places was proposed by the cartographic representation, the words of the inhabitants and photographs taken during the surveys in order to bring out the social sense of the neighborhood’s places. Mapping is a tool for enhancing the tangible and intangible heritage of the territory and a precondition for a process of governance

Scenario analysis of livestock-related PM2.5 pollution based on heteroskedastic geostatistical modelling

The air in the Lombardy region, Italy, is one of the most polluted in Europe because of limited air circulation and high emissions levels. There is a large scientific consensus that the agricultural sector has a major impact on air quality. In Lombardy, livestock activities are widely acknowledged to be responsible for approximately 97% of regional ammonia emissions due to the high density of livestock. The main objective of our study is to quantify the relationship between ammonia emissions and PM2.5 concentrations in the Lombardy region and evaluate PM2.5 changes due to the reduction of ammonia emissions through scenario analysis. In particular, the study refers to the years between 2016 and 2020 inclusive. The information contained in the data is exploited using a spatiotemporal model capable of handling spatial and temporal correlation, as well as missing data. In this study, we propose a heteroskedastic extension of the Hidden Dynamic Geostatistical Model (HDGM) which is a two-level hierarchical model suitable for complex environmental processes. Scenario analysis will be carried out on high-resolution maps of the Lombardy region showing the changes in PM2.5 across the area. As a result, it is shown that a 26% reduction in NH3 emissions in the wintertime could reduce the PM2.5 average by 2.09 mg/m3 while a 50% reduction could reduce the PM2.5 average by 4.02 mg/m3 which corresponds to a reduction close to 5% and 10% respectively. Finally, results are detailed by province and land type

Si può misurare il benessere? Riflessioni sulla dimensione spaziale del Better Life Index calcolato da OCSE

Abstract Can Well-being Be Measured? Reflections on the Spatial Dimension of the OECD Better Life Index Indices developed by international research organizations assume value in the adoption of new policies. This paper aims to present the role that these indices have taken on in order to investigate the methodology adopted and understand the role that the space between the indicators used takes on. Specifically, the Better Life Index that the OECD develops is examined, analyzing and mapping the indicators used. Some critical issues emerge, and in particular the absence of the spatial dimension among the parameters considered. The paper reflects on the relevance of this gap and highlights the importance of the relationship with space in assessing well-being