Search

Slow instability phenomena can turn into rapid events, showing sudden accelerations and potentially developing in a threat for structures and people. In such scenarios, an in-depth understanding of the spatial and temporal evolution of the ground surface displacement field becomes essential for preventing potential catastrophes. In this work, Multi-Temporal Interferometry SAR (MTInSAR) technique based on COSMO-SkyMed and Sentinel-1 SAR acquisitions and ground measurements have been used to study an ongoing instability occurrence, affecting the urban area of Chieuti, a town located in the Southern Italy. Archives of C and X-band SAR data and geomatic monitoring observations spanning seven, five and one year, respectively, have been analyzed exploiting the complementary characteristics of these datasets. This enabled the accurate spatial-temporal characterization of the ground displacement field in the study area, the identification of sectors evidencing instability problems and a comprehensive reliability assessment of the detected displacements trends, characterized by strong non-linearities. Moreover, the multi-geometry DInSAR analysis allowed to evaluate the horizontal and vertical components of the detected motion, confirming the nature of the instability process, related to a deep landslide mechanism affecting the western slope of the town.

The component method is a powerful tool for designing and modelling steel beam-to-column connections. Its widespread use is ensured by several formulations currently included in Eurocode 3 part 1.8 for welded and bolted joints. However, the recent use of 3D Laser Cutting Technology (3D-LCT) in the construction market has enlarged the range of solutions, allowing the realisation of tubular columns with passing-through elements. Given the recent development, no design formulations are currently provided for this typology. At this moment, only a few research studies have developed to fill this knowledge gap. At the University of Salerno, since some years, research efforts are ongoing to characterise the flexural strength of connections between Circular Hollow Section columns and passing double-tee beams, suggesting methodologies to predict the behaviour of the resistance and stiffness of this typology and some of its elementary joint components. Within this framework, this paper aims to examine the strength and stiffness of one of the main components of this joint, which was never examined previously, that is the so-called tube under localised transverse tension/compression. Design formulations are derived from a parametric study carried out through numerical simulations of several geometric configurations.

La metodologia di rilievo mediante Laser Scanner Aviotrasportato (ALS) per la ricostruzione dettagliata della morfologia consente l’acquisizione di dati tridimensionali di alta precisione da utilizzare per il monitoraggio di fenomeni franosi in evoluzione. Abstract The laser survey technique for monitoring the instability of volcanoes: the case of Stromboli In volcanic areas the flank instability represents an additional hazard for the surrounding inhabited areas. Landslides, ranging from small to large size, can easily develop both due to the weakness of the volcanic superficial layers and to the destabilizing effects from deformation and seismicity related to the volcanic activity. These phenomena are particularly dangerous along the coast line of volcanic islands because they cannot easily detected in a safe way. The use of remote sensing data represent an useful contribution to the risk assessment and hazard evaluation. Multi-temporal analy- ses based on the 2006 and 2009 Digital Surface Models (DSMs), generated from an Airborne Laser scanner on the Stromboli Island permitted to detect active landslides and to extract additional information useful to hazard assessment and related mitigation actions.

La metodologia di rilievo mediante Laser Scanner Aviotrasportato (ALS) per la ricostruzione dettagliata della morfologia consente l’acquisizione di dati tridimensionali di alta precisione da utilizzare per il monitoraggio di fenomeni franosi in evoluzione. Abstract The laser survey technique for monitoring the instability of volcanoes: the case of Stromboli In volcanic areas the flank instability represents an additional hazard for the surrounding inhabited areas. Landslides, ranging from small to large size, can easily develop both due to the weakness of the volcanic superficial layers and to the destabilizing effects from deformation and seismicity related to the volcanic activity. These phenomena are particularly dangerous along the coast line of volcanic islands because they cannot easily detected in a safe way. The use of remote sensing data represent an useful contribution to the risk assessment and hazard evaluation. Multi-temporal analy- ses based on the 2006 and 2009 Digital Surface Models (DSMs), generated from an Airborne Laser scanner on the Stromboli Island permitted to detect active landslides and to extract additional information useful to hazard assessment and related mitigation actions.

Integration of advanced geomatic and geophysics surveys for characterization of Moai statues in Easter Island (Chile) Between 15 and 27 July 2008 a field campaign aimed at collecting topographical and geophysical data useful for geometric reconstruction and material characterization of a Moai Statue was carried out on the Ester Island (Rapa Nui,Chile). The scientific activity, conducted by a team of researchers of Sapienza University of Rome (DITS) and of the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), is part of the “MOAI AL MONDO” Project, coordinated by Marenostrum Foundation and sponsorized by Louis Vuitton Malletier. which promote the dissemination of the cultural and archeological heritage of Easter Island’s people to Europe and to the world.

Integration of advanced geomatic and geophysics surveys for characterization of Moai statues in Easter Island (Chile) Between 15 and 27 July 2008 a field campaign aimed at collecting topographical and geophysical data useful for geometric reconstruction and material characterization of a Moai Statue was carried out on the Ester Island (Rapa Nui,Chile). The scientific activity, conducted by a team of researchers of Sapienza University of Rome (DITS) and of the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), is part of the “MOAI AL MONDO” Project, coordinated by Marenostrum Foundation and sponsorized by Louis Vuitton Malletier. which promote the dissemination of the cultural and archeological heritage of Easter Island’s people to Europe and to the world.

Abstract Background Gestational Diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancies affecting around 7% of women. This clinical condition is associated with an increased risk of developing fetal macrosomia and is related to a higher incidence of caesarean section in comparison to the general population. Strong evidence indicating the best management between induction of labour at term and expectant monitoring are missing. Methods/Design Pregnant women with singleton pregnancy in vertex presentation previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes will be asked to participate in a multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial between 38+0 and 39+0 gestational weeks. Women will be recruited in the third trimester in the Outpatient clinic or in the Day Assessment Unit according to local protocols. Women who opt to take part will be randomized according to induction of labour or expectant management for spontaneous delivery. Patients allocated to the induction group will be admitted to the obstetric ward and offered induction of labour via use of prostaglandins, Foley catheter or oxytocin (depending on clinical conditions). Women assigned to the expectant arm will be sent to their domicile where they will be followed up until delivery, through maternal and fetal wellbeing monitoring twice weekly. The primary study outcome is the Caesarean section (C-section) rate, whilst secondary measurement4s are maternal and neonatal outcomes. A total sample of 1760 women (880 each arm) will be recruited to identify a relative difference between the two arms equal to 20% in favour of induction, with concerns to C-section rate. Data will be collected until mothers and newborns discharge from the hospital. Analysis of the outcome measures will be carried out by intention to treat. Discussion The present trial will provide evidence as to whether or not, in women affected by gestational diabetes, induction of labour between 38+0 and 39+0 weeks is an effective management to ameliorate maternal and neonatal outcomes. The primary objective is to determine whether caesarean section rate could be reduced among women undergoing induction of labour, in comparison to patients allocated to expectant monitoring. The secondary objective consists of the assessment and comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes in the two study arms. Trial Registration The study protocol has been registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System, identification number NCT01058772.