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Machine learning is the state of the art for many recurring tasks in several heterogeneous domains. In the last decade, it has been also widely used in Precision Agriculture (PA) and Wild Flora Monitoring (WFM) to address a set of problems with a big impact on economy, society and academia, heralding a paradigm shift across the industry and academia. Many applications in those fields involve image processing and computer vision stages. Remote sensing devices are very popular choice for image acquisition in this context, and in particular, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a good tradeoff between cost and area coverage. For these reasons, research literature is rich of works that face problems in Precision Agriculture and Wild Flora Monitoring domains with machine learning/computer vision methods applied to UAV imagery. In this work, we review this literature, with a special focus on algorithms, model sizing, dataset characteristics and innovative technical solutions presented in many domain-specific models, providing the reader with an overview of the research trend in recent years.

Despite the spread of novel-generation cochlear-implant (CI) magnetic systems, access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for CI recipients is still limited due to safety concerns. The aim of this study is to assess and record the experiences of Hires Ultra 3D (Advanced Bionics) recipients who underwent an MRI examination. A multicentric European survey about this topic was conducted focusing on safety issues, and the results were compared with the current literature. We collected a total of 65 MRI scans performed in 9 otologic referral centers for a total of 47 Hires Ultra 3D recipients, including, for the first time, 2 children and 3 teenagers. Preventive measures were represented by scanning time and sedation for children. Head wrapping was used in eight cases, and six of the eight cases received local anesthesia, even if both measures were not needed. Only three patients complained of pain (3/65 examinations, 4.6%) due to the tight head bandage, and one of the three cases required MRI scan interruption. No other adverse events were reported. We believe that these results should encourage MRI execution in accordance with manufacturer recommendations for Ultra 3D recipients.

Abstract Among the most successful Lessepsian invaders is the symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifera Amphistegina lobifera. In its newly conquered habitat, this prolific calcifier and ecosystem engineer is exposed to environmental conditions that exceed the range of its native habitat. To disentangle which processes facilitated the invasion success of A. lobifera into the Mediterranean Sea we analyzed a ~ 1400 bp sequence fragment covering the SSU and ITS gene markers to compare the populations from its native regions and along the invasion gradient. The genetic variability was studied at four levels: intra-genomic, population, regional and geographical. We observed that the invasion is not associated with genetic differentiation, but the invasive populations show a distinct suppression of intra-genomic variability among the multiple copies of the rRNA gene. A reduced genetic diversity compared to the Indopacific is observed already in the Red Sea populations and their high dispersal potential into the Mediterranean appears consistent with a bridgehead effect resulting from the postglacial expansion from the Indian Ocean into the Red Sea. We conclude that the genetic structure of the invasive populations reflects two processes: high dispersal ability of the Red Sea source population pre-adapted to Mediterranean conditions and a likely suppression of sexual reproduction in the invader. This discovery provides a new perspective on the cost of invasion in marine protists: The success of the invasive A. lobifera in the Mediterranean Sea comes at the cost of abandonment of sexual reproduction.

Abstract Eastern Mediterranean deep-intermediate convection was highly sensitive to varying inputs of fresh water fluxes associated with increased rainfall during the African Humid period (15-6 kyr Before Present). Here we investigate changes in the water-outflow from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea since the last deglaciation using neodymium isotope ratios. Our results indicate enhanced outflow during the Younger Dryas, two times higher than present-day outflow and about three times higher than during the last Sapropel. We propose that the increased outflow into the western Mediterranean over the Younger Dryas was the result of the combined effect of 1) enhanced climate-driven convection in the Aegean Sea and 2) reduced convection of western deep water during this period. Our results provide solid evidence for an enhanced Younger Dryas westward flow of Eastern Mediterranean sourced waters in consonance with an intensification of Mediterranean water-outflow during a weakened state of the Atlantic circulation.

Invasive alien species threaten biodiversity and ecosystem structure and functioning, but incomplete assessments of their origins and temporal trends impair our ability to understand the relative importance of different factors driving invasion success. Continuous time-series are needed to assess invasion dynamics, but such data are usually difficult to obtain, especially in the case of small-sized taxa that may remain undetected for several decades. In this study, we show how micropaleontologic analysis of sedimentary cores coupled with radiometric dating can be used to date the first arrival and to reconstruct temporal trends of foraminiferal species, focusing on the alien Amphistegina lobifera and its cryptogenic congener A. lessonii in the Maltese Islands. Our results show that the two species had reached the Central Mediterranean Sea several decades earlier than reported in the literature, with considerable implications for all previous hypotheses of their spreading patterns and rates. By relating the population dynamics of the two foraminifera with trends in sea surface temperature, we document a strong relationship between sea warming and population outbreaks of both species. We conclude that the micropaleontologic approach is a reliable procedure for reconstructing the bioinvasion dynamics of taxa having mineralized remains, and can be added to the toolkit for studying invasions.

The planktonic foraminiferal species Globorotalia truncatulinoides is widely used as a biostratigraphic proxy for the Quaternary in the Mediterranean region. High-resolution quantitative studies performed on sediment cores collected in the central and western Mediterranean Sea evidence a significant abundance of G. truncatulinoides during the Middle Holocene. The robust chronological frame allows us to date this bio-event to 4.8–4.4 ka Before Present (BP), very close to the base of the Meghalayan stage (4.2 ka BP). As a consequence, we propose that G. truncatulinoides can be considered a potential marker for the Middle–Late Holocene chronological subdivision. G. truncatulinoides is a deep-dwelling planktonic foraminifer and their distributional pattern in the central and western Mediterranean Sea provides a tool to monitor the onset of the regional deep vertical mixing of the water column. During the Holocene, the significant increase in the abundance of this species is in phase with the end of African Humid Period, which marks the transition from a more humid climate to the present-day semi-arid climate.

In this paper, a complete three-dimensional (3D) RF model of the cyclotron coaxial resonator—including the coaxial sliding shorts, the “Liner” vacuum chamber, the coupler, the trimmer, and the high RF voltage “Dee” structures—has been developed. An eigenmode analysis was used to simulate the tuning of the resonator in the operating frequency range of 15–48 MHz obtained by two movable sliding shorts and a trimmer. A driven analysis has been performed in order to compute the |S11| parameter (or impedance matching) of the cavity excited by a movable coaxial power coupler. The numerical simulations have been performed using the different peculiarities of two commercial tools, COMSOL Multiphysics and CST microwave studio. Experimental validation of the developed model is presented. The evidence of an unwanted electric field component, orthogonal to the accelerating field, was discovered and a mitigation is also proposed. The impact of the proposed modification was evaluated by using a 3D beam dynamics code under development in the framework of the Superconducting Cyclotron upgrade ongoing at INFN-LNS.

Cognitive dysfunctions are a common clinical feature of schizophrenia and represent important indicators of outcome among patients who are affected. Therefore, a randomized, controlled, monocentric, singleblind trial was carried out to compare two different rehabilitation strategies adopted for the restoration and recovery of cognitive functioning of residential patients with schizophrenia. A sample of 110 residential patients were selected and, during the experimental period, a group of 55 patients was treated with sets of domain-specific exercises (SRT+CRT), whereas an equal control group was treated with sets of non domain-specific exercises (SRT+PBO) belonging to the Cogpack® software. The effects on the scores (between T0 and T1) of the variables treatment and time and of the interaction time X treatment were analyzed: for the total BACS, the main effect of the between-factors variable treatment is statistically significant (F=201.562 P=0.000), as well as the effect of the within-factors variable “time” (F=496.68 P=0.000).The interaction of these two factors is also statistically significant (F=299.594 P=0.000). The addition of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) to a standard treatment of metacognitive training (MCT) resulted in a significant improvement in global neurocognitive functioning and has reported positive effects with regard to the strengthening of verbal and working memory, selective and sustained attention at T1. A relevant result is the statistically significance of “time X treatment” for all the tests administered: we can assume that the domain-specific cognitive training amplifies the effects of SRT, as the primary and secondary goals of the present study were achieved.

Quantitative analysis on the planktonic foraminiferal assemblages in the Late Pliocene - Early Pleistocene segment of the Capo Rossello section evidences the same number of relative abundance fluctuations of the Globigerinoides ruber taxonomic unit recorded in the same stratigraphic interval of other Mediterranean sequences. Between the Globorotalia inflata FO and the Discoaster brouweri LO 4 relative abundance fluctuations are present. Since the D. brouweri LO is recorded in the Mediterranean basin below the base of the Olduvai magnetic event and in coincidence of relative abundance fluctuation 73, the Gt. inflata FO is coincident with fluctuation 80. The first appearance ol Globorotalia truncatulinoides is recorded on the second fluctuation above the Gt. inflata FO and on the second fluctuation below the D. brouwueri LO. Therefore the Gt. truncatulinoides FO is coincident with fluctuation 77. The absolute age proposed for these 3 bio-events is 1.99,2.07 and 2.13 MA respectively. The most important calcareous nannofossil events, recognized by quantitative analysis, have been correlated to the abundance fluctuations of the Globigerinoides ruber taxonomic unit.

A high-resolution geochemical and micropaleontological data set has been obtained from the uppermost Langhian/lower Serravallian marly sediments of the Ras il Pellegrin section (Malta Island). A combination of the recorded stratal organization with the results of spectral analyses performed on CaCO3 data and faunal signals shows a dominance of the classic Milankovitch periodicities as modulating forcing of the studied succession. The application of band-pass filters allowed us to select the different Milankovitch frequencies (precession, obliquity and short- and long-eccentricity) from the original faunal and geochemical signals and to compare them with the same components of the astronomical curve. The reliability of the short-term astronomical tuning has been tested by using the larger-order cyclicity (100-400 kyr) as control. The good match of the different records with the selected insolation curve is consistent with the results of the cross-spectral analysis showing high coherency values in all the considered frequency bands. The calibration provided astronomical ages for the sedimentary cycles and consequently for all the bioevents recorded in the section. In particular, an age of 13.59 Ma has been obtained for the last occurrence (LO) of Sphenolitus heteromorphus, at present considered the best bioevent useful for recognizing the Langhian/Serravallian boundary. Moreover, an age of 12.62 Ma has been obtained for the first occurrence (FO) of Paragloborotalia partimlabiata.

The relative position of 30 main bioevents pertaining to calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera was identified in the time interval between 13.75 Ma and 10.50 Ma, based on the quantitative study of the those microfossils in three Mediterranean sections spanning the late Langhian – lower Tortonian stratigraphic interval. The events were correlated to the astronomic target curve using a cyclostratigraphic approach, resulting in a very detailed biostratigraphic and biochronologic subdivision of the interval. The zonal scheme proposed by Fornaciari et al. (1996) was adopted for the calcareous nannofossils, but three subzones were identified in the MMN7 Zone. For the planktonic foraminifera reference is made to the zonal scheme recently proposed by Foresi et al. (1998), slightly modified in order to increase its biostratigraphic resolution. The age of all the zonal boundaries is reported.

Results of an integrated biostratigraphic (calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifers) study of the uppermost Langhian/lower Serravallian Ras il-Pellegrin section (Fomm ir-Rih Bay – Malta) are presented. This high resolution study allowed us to recognise several useful lower Serravallian bio-events in the Mediterranean and to provide a detailed distribution pattern of the recognised taxa. The astrochronological calibration, reported in a different paper of this volume, provided absolute ages of the bio-events of the studied section. The LO (Last Occurrence) of Globorotalia peripheroronda at 13.39 Ma, the Paragloborotalia partimlabiata FO (First Occurrence) at 12.62 Ma and the Paragloborotalia mayeri FCO (First Common Occurrence) at 12.34 Ma among the planktonic foraminifera, and the Sphenolithus heteromorphus LO at 13.59 Ma, the Cyclicargolithus floridanus LCO (Last Common Occurrence) at 13.39 Ma, the Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus FCO at 13.32 Ma, the Calcidiscus macintyrei FO at 12.57 Ma and the Calcidiscus premacintyrei LCO at 12.51 Ma among the calcareous nannofossils, were recorded. Moreover, our results confirm the LO of S. heteromorphus as a fairly synchronous event in the Mediterranean and in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Therefore, we suggest a lithological level near or coincident with this event for the definition of the GSSP of the Serravallian. The Ras il-Pellegrin section may be considered a good candidate for this definition.

The upper Serravallian-Lower Tortonian Case Pelacani section in Sicily is represented by the epipelagic sediments of the Tellaro Formation. Along the section, which was sampled in four easily correlatable segments, a more or less continuous sequence of lithologic couplets, with whitish marls and blackish levels in the lower part and whitish marls and whitish more indurated levels in the upper part are present. The distribution of the most common taxa of planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils was quantitatively estimated in 316 samples, collected every 20 cm along the section which is 66.35 m thick. This allowed to identify eleven planktonic foraminifera (but only the eight marker events were quantitatively estimated) and five calcareous nannofossil bio-events. Their astrochronology is reported by correlation with the cyclostratigraphic results obtained for this section in a different paper. The ages are well comparable with the ages published for the same events in other Mediterranean sections. Paleomagnetic analysis along 30 meters in the central part of the section gave puzzling results and therefore no reliable magnetostratigraphy could be obtained. The Case Pelacani section, straddling the stratigraphic interval between slightly below the first occurrence and slightly above the first regular occurrence of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis , is a good candidate for the definition of the GSSP (Global Stratigraphic Section and Point) of the Tortonian. Independently from the selected section, we suggest to define the Serravallian/Tortonian boundary in a level coincident or near the last occurrence of Paragloborotalia siakensis, as already proposed, or coincident with or near the last common occurrence of Globigerinoides subquadratus. This latter level virtually coincides with the first common occurrence of Globigerinoides obliquus obliquus and is slightly above the last common occurrence of Discoaster kugleri, which occurs only 2.25 meters (and 3 precessional cycles) below in the studied section.

A high resolution cyclostratigraphic study was carried out on a cyclicaly bedded succession of late Middle Miocene deep marine deposits from the Tremiti Islands, Adriatic sea (Italy). Astronomical calibration of the sedimentary cycles provides absolute ages for different calcareous plankton bioevents, widely used for intra Mediterranean correlation, in the interval between 11.12 and 12.60 Ma. The sedimentary record of the S. nicola composite section consists of an alternation of indurated, withish coloured, CaCo3 rich and grey less indurated, CaCo3 poor marly beds, at times replaced by red coloured CaCo3 poor marls. Results of direct correlation between the La 90 (1,1) solution of the insolation curve and the cyclic lithologic patterns occurring in the studied sections, combined with results of spectral methodologies applied on the climate sensitive data (CaCo3 and Globigerinoides) showed that the classic Milankovitch periodicity can be represented through the modulation forcing of the studied sedimentary records.

We performed a cyclostratigraphic study of a sedimentary sequence (Case Pelacani section) outcropping in the south-eastern margin of Sicily (Italy) and covering the Upper Serravallian/Lower Tortonian stratigraphic interval. Calcareous plankton biostratigraphic data reported in another paper proved that all the sequence of bio-events generally reported from just below and above the S/T boundary is present in the section. They allowed a detailed correlation with the Gibliscemi section. Preliminary paleomagnetic data suggest that a secondary remagnetization component prevents the recognition of the correct sequence of paleomagnetic chrons along the studied interval. The sedimentary record has been compared, on the basis of an integrated calcareous plankton biostratigraphy, with that of the Gibliscemi section. Cyclostratigraphic analysis of the lithological patterns recognized throughout the succession and the application of spectral methodologies to the abundance fluctuations of the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides quadrilobatus highlighted the presence in the signal of the classic Milankovitch frequencies (precession, obliquity and eccentricity). Correlation of the lithological patterns and of the different frequency bands extracted by numerical filtering from the faunal record with the same components modulating the insolation curve provided an astronomic calibration of the sedimentary record and, consequently, a precise age for all the calcareous plankton bioevents recognized throughout the studied interval.

The planktonic foraminifer and calcareous nannofossil content of two Middle Miocene sections of the Tremiti Islands (Southern Adriatic Sea) have been studied. The two sections are composed of marly limestones rich in calcareous plankton which show cyclic alternations of indurated (higher carbonate content) whitish and less indurated grey or reddish beds. The two sections represent a succession with a total thickness of 38 m. Samples have been collected at a mean spacing of 10-15 cm; qualitative analyses were performed on one sample per meter but quantitative analyses were made for each sample. The abundance fluctuations of several marker species proved to be a very useful tool to correlate the two sections. The astronomical calibration of the sedimentary cycles provided absolute ages for all the recognised calcareous plankton bioevents.

Detailed quantitative analyses of the benthic foraminiferal assemblage from the base of the Pliocene sections (M Pl 1 biozone) at Eraclea Minoa and the Capo Rossello area (southern Sicily) documented fluctuating paleoecological conditions indicative of a dysaerobic bottom water environment. In particular, we identify the Uvigerina pygmaea-peregrina Event, which in the area studied covers the upper part of the M Pl 1 biozone. According to the integrated calcareous plankton biostratigraphy and to cyclostratigraphy based on fluctuations in the relative abundance of fauna in the planktonic foraminiferal assemblage, the base of the Uvigerina pygmaea-peregrina Event coincides with cycle 6a and its top coincides with cycle 10 in the Sicilian sections.A similar temporal correlation is seen in the Tyrrhenian basin (ODP Site 652). On the contrary, the Uvigerina pygmaea-peregrina Event covers a longer time interval in the Jonian basin, where it is recognizable from cycle 4 to cycle 12. The Uvigerina pygmaea-peregrina Event is time equivalent with an interval characterized by cyclically repeated sapropels in the eastern Mediterranean basin. As a matter of fact, 10 sapropels are present in the deep-sea sediments (ODP Site 969) and 10 Uvigerina pygmaea-peregrina peaks are present in the Roccella Ionica - Capo Spartivento composite section in the M Pl 1- lowest M Pl 2 biozones. The diachronous termination of the Uvigerina pygmaea-peregrina Event may indicate that well-oxygenated bottom conditions were established earlier in the western than in the eastern Mediterranean basin. Both the sapropels interval in the eastern Mediterranean and low-oxygen bottom conditions in the Jonian basin occurred during a time interval which straddles a minimum of eccentricity in the astronomical record.