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Human exposure to mercury is a serious problem of public health in Amazon. As in other vulnerable populations throughout the world, Amazonian riverine populations are chronically exposed to this metal and some symptoms of mercury intoxication were already detected in these populations. However, studies on the genetic susceptibility to mercury toxicity in the Amazon are scarce, and they tested a limited number of individuals. In this context, apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a key element with a well-established association among their alleles and the neurodegenerative consequences of mercury intoxication. However, no studies have addressed APOE genotyping in Amazonian exposed populations. Additionally, epidemiological studies with APOE genotyping in Amazon have been restricted to indigenous populations. Therefore, this work analyzed for the first time the genotypic and allelic profiles of APOE in Amazonian riverine populations chronically exposed to mercury. Eight hundred and twenty three individuals were enrolled in our study donating blood (794) and/or hair (757). APOE genotyping was analyzed by real-time PCR. Total mercury and mercury species were quantified by ICP-MS and GC-pyro-AFS, respectively. Genomic ancestry markers were evaluated by multiplex-PCR reaction, separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer instrument and analyzed on GeneMapper ID v3.2. The 3 and 3/3 were the most frequent allele and genotype, respectively, followed by 4 allele and 3/4 genotype. Only 2/2 genotype was not found, suggesting that the absence of this genotype is a generalized phenomenon in Amazon. Also, our data supported an association between the presence of APOE4 and the Amerindian origin in these populations. Fifty-nine individuals were identified at maximum risk with levels of mercury above 10 μg/g and the presence of APOE4. Interestingly, among individuals with high mercury content, APOE4-carriers had high mercury levels than APOE2-carriers, pointing to a different heavy metal accumulation according to the APOE allele. These data suggest that APOE4, in addition to a possible pharmacodynamic effect, may influence pharmacokinetically the mercury exposure causing its higher accumulation and leading to worse deleterious consequences. Our results may aid in the development of prevention strategies and health policy decision-making regarding these at-risk vulnerable populations. A exposição humana ao mercúrio é um grave problema de saúde pública na Amazônia. Assim como em outras populações vulneráveis ​​em todo o mundo, populações ribeirinhas amazônicas estão cronicamente expostas a esse metal e alguns sintomas de intoxicação por mercúrio já foram detectados nessas populações. No entanto, estudos sobre a suscetibilidade genética à toxicidade do mercúrio na Amazônia são escassos e testaram um número limitado de indivíduos. Nesse contexto, o gene da apolipoproteína E (APOE) é um elemento chave com uma associação bem estabelecida entre seus alelos e as consequências neurodegenerativas da intoxicação por mercúrio. No entanto, nenhum estudo abordou a genotipagem da APOE em populações expostas na Amazônia. Além disso, estudos epidemiológicos com genotipagem APOE na Amazônia têm sido restritos a populações indígenas. Portanto, este trabalho analisou pela primeira vez os perfis genotípicos e alélicos de APOE em populações ribeirinhas amazônicas expostas cronicamente ao mercúrio. Oitocentos e vinte e três indivíduos foram incluídos em nosso estudo doando sangue (794) e/ou cabelo (757). A genotipagem da APOE foi analisada por PCR em tempo real. O mercúrio total e as espécies de mercúrio foram quantificados por ICP-MS e GC-piro-AFS, respectivamente. Os marcadores de ancestralidade genômica foram avaliados por reação multiplex-PCR, separados por eletroforese capilar no instrumento ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer e analisados ​​no GeneMapper ID v3.2. O 3 e 3/3 foram os alelos e genótipos mais frequentes, respetivamente, seguidos do alelo 4 e do genótipo 3/4. Apenas o genótipo 2/2 não foi encontrado, sugerindo que a ausência desse genótipo é um fenômeno generalizado na Amazônia. Além disso, nossos dados apoiaram uma associação entre a presença de APOE4 e a origem ameríndia nessas populações. Cinquenta e nove indivíduos foram identificados em risco máximo com níveis de mercúrio acima de 10 μg/ge presença de APOE4. Curiosamente, entre os indivíduos com alto teor de mercúrio, os portadores de APOE4 apresentaram níveis de mercúrio mais elevados do que os portadores de APOE2, apontando para um acúmulo diferente de metais pesados ​​de acordo com o alelo APOE. Esses dados sugerem que a APOE4, além de um possível efeito farmacodinâmico, pode influenciar farmacocinéticamente a exposição ao mercúrio causando seu maior acúmulo e levando a piores consequências deletérias. Nossos resultados podem auxiliar no desenvolvimento de estratégias de prevenção e tomada de decisão de políticas de saúde em relação a essas populações vulneráveis ​​em risco.

Within coastal systems, sand dunes are the only natural barriers able to counteract erosive processes. Since their equilibrium is often threatened by human activities and high vulnerability of the coastal environment, dunes require increasing attention and specific monitoring. Located between the mainland and the sea, dunes are unique residue habitats for some plant and animal species. In particular, their vegetation is important because it has a consolidation function and promotes the vertical dune accretion. A georeferenced vegetation classification can be useful to define the advancements or erosion stage of the dune, usually based only on the geometric reconstruction. The proposed study aims to compare the classifications performed with some combinations of two of the last generation sensors and traditional image processing techniques. High spectral resolution satellite image (WorldView-2) and a multispectral orthophoto, obtained from data acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle, were used. Objects and pixel algorithms were applied and the results were compared by a statistical test. Using the same bands, the findings show that both data are suitable for monitoring the evolutionary dune status. Specifically, the WorldView-2 pixel-based classification and UAV object-based classification provide the same accurate results.

Coastal dunes provide the hinterland with natural protection from marine dynamics. The specialized plant species that constitute dune vegetation communities are descriptive of the dune evolution status, which in turn reveals the ongoing coastal dynamics. The aims of this paper were to demonstrate the applicability of a low-cost unmanned aerial system for the classification of dune vegetation, in order to determine the level of detail achievable for the identification of vegetation communities and define the best-performing classification method for the dune environment according to pixel-based and object-based approaches. These goals were pursued by studying the north-Adriatic coastal dunes of Casal Borsetti (Ravenna, Italy). Four classification algorithms were applied to three-band orthoimages (red, green, and near-infrared). All classification maps were validated through ground truthing, and comparisons were performed for the three statistical methods, based on the k coefficient and on correctly and incorrectly classified pixel proportions of two maps. All classifications recognized the five vegetation classes considered, and high spatial resolution maps were produced (0.15 m). For both pixel-based and object-based methods, the support vector machine algorithm demonstrated a better accuracy for class recognition. The comparison revealed that an object approach is the better technique, although the required level of detail determines the final decision.

In 2011, Italy established a new geodetic reference system, the European Terrestrial Reference System 1989 (ETRS89), which was based upon the ETRF2000 reference frame at epoch 2008.0. In order to maintain this reference, the IGMI defined a permanent GNSS network within the EPN densification project, known as the “Rete Dinamica Nazionale” (RDN) and composed of 99 tracking stations located in and around Italy. Eight years of data are now available and the aim of this work is to estimate the velocities of the official RDN sites. It was necessary to pre-analyze the data accurately because of the incomplete maintenance of the associated repository. The network was calculated using a PPP approach and applying the GIPSY-OASIS II software package, and the solutions were aligned to ITRS using a customized procedure. After they were transformed into ETRF2000, the time series of the solutions were properly analyzed to find discontinuities and solve jumps caused by earthquakes and instrumental changes. Results highlighted the residual velocities with respect to ETRS89, which can reach 5 mm/year in some areas. The velocity field is shown to be very inhomogeneous, with clusters of sites presenting very different behaviours.

A photogrammetric survey of a unique archaeological site is reported in this paper. The survey was performed using both a panoramic image-based solution and by classical procedure. The panoramic image-based solution was carried out employing a commercial solution: the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover (IR). Such instrument is an integrated cameras system that captures 360 degrees digital panoramas, composed of 12 images, with a single push. The direct comparison of the point clouds obtained with traditional photogrammetric procedure and V10 stations, using the same GCP coordinates has been carried out in Cloud Compare, open source software that can provide the comparison between two point clouds supplied by all the main statistical data. The site is a portion of the dial plate of the “Horologium Augusti” inaugurated in 9 B.C.E. in the area of Campo Marzio and still present intact in the same position, in a cellar of a building in Rome, around 7 meter below the present ground level.

A lively debate has developed regarding the characteristics of the so-called Horologium Augusti, at first known only through a notice in Pliny and subsequently discovered (at least partly) during the course of excavations begun in 1997 (Leonhardt, in: The Horologium of Augustus: debate and context, 2014). The gnomon of the “Horologium” was composed by the obelisk that presently is nearby in “Piazza Montecitorio” in Rome (Fig. 1). A large part of the debate has centred on the very function of the Horologium, in particular whether it was a true functioning solar clock or simply a sundial. The scope of the present essay concentrates rather on the metrical accuracy that such a sundial could have had; in particular, we will hazard a hypothesis as to the accuracy with which the direction of the sundial was laid out and the possibility of measuring the azimuth in its present placement. Such a detailed geodetic-topographic survey of the portion thus far excavated, could provide useful information for the eventual pursuit of excavations yielding, at the same time, further avenues of research; as an example it would also allow for the deduction of two pieces of information still not entirely established: the exact height of the gnomon, and the exact position of the original placement of the axis of the obelisk.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]

We have monitored a large landslide that causes extensive damage by using Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Our surveys have confirmed that the slope undergoes a continuous change. When using TLS some operational difficulties arise. We have used different TLSs types to better evaluate the reliability of our surveys; a full wave TLS has allowed to make easier the data filtering. All surveys have been framed in the same absolute reference system; this has been done by connecting both targets and laser stations to a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Permanent Reference Stations network. A direct comparison among the DEMs allows to infer the movements of the landslide.