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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of structural heart disease (SHD) among competitive athletes with negative T waves without pathological findings at transthoracic echocardiogram, evaluated at cardiac MRI and cardiac CT. Methods From a prospective register of 450 athletes consecutively evaluated during a second-level cardiological examination, we retrospectively identified all subjects with the following inclusion criteria: 1)not previously known cardiovascular disease; 2)negative T waves in leads other than V1-V2; 3)normal transthoracic echocardiogram. Patients underwent cardiac MRI and CT. The primary endpoint was the diagnosis of definite SHD after multimodality imaging evaluation. A follow-up was collected for a combined end-point of sudden death, resuscitated sudden cardiac death and hospitalization for any cardiovascular causes. Results A total of 55 competitive athletes were finally enrolled (50 males, 90%) with a mean age of 27.5±14.1 years old. Among the population enrolled 16 (29.1%) athletes had a final diagnosis of SHD. At multivariate analysis, only deep negative T waves remained statistically significant [OR(95%CI) 7.81(1.24–49.08), p=0.0285]. Contemporary identification of deep negative T waves and complex arrhythmias in the same patients appeared to have an incremental diagnostic value. No events were collected at 49.3±12.3 months of follow-up. Conclusion In an unselected cohort of athletes with negative T waves at ECG, cardiac MRI (and selected use of cardiac CT) enabled the identification of 16 (29.1%) subjects with SHD despite normal transthoracic echocardiography. Deep negative T waves and complex ventricular arrhythmias were the only clinical characteristic associated with SHD diagnosis.

Fluorescence microscopy is a ubiquitous technique in the life sciences that uses fluorescent molecules to visualize specific components of biological specimens. This powerful tool has revolutionized biology, and it represents a perfect example of the advancements enabled by biophysical research and technology development. However, despite its central role in contemporary research, fluorescence is hardly covered in typical secondary school curricula, with few hands-on “entry-level” materials available for secondary school teachers to introduce this important method to their students. Furthermore, most commercially available fluorescence microscopes are prohibitively costly and often appear as “black boxes.” To address this gap, we introduce here an experimental, research-grade fluorescence microscopy kit and educational resource targeted at secondary school students and teachers. Microscope in Action is an interdisciplinary resource based on active learning that combines concepts from both optics and biology. The students assemble a functional microscope from basic optical, mechanical, and electronic parts, thereby testing and understanding the function of each component “hands-on.” We also present sample preparation and imaging activities that can be incorporated to enable an exploration of biological topics with the assembled microscope and exercises in which students actively learn and practice scientific thinking by collecting and analyzing data. Although the resource was developed with secondary schools in mind, the variety of available protocols and the adjustable module lengths make it suitable for different age groups and topics, from middle school to PhD level, from short workshops to courses spanning several days.

Background Cardiac computed tomography (CT) emerged as an accurate tool for non-invasive evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD), being able to identify high risk non-calcified atherosclerosis. Identification of high risk CAD in its asymptomatic stage could be an interest target for medical therapy. Nowadays no validated tools are available to predict the presence of high risk atherosclerosis, probably due to the multifactorial pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Facial features may express both genetic and environmental factors that could be associated to high risk atherosclerosis. Aim of the present study was to verify whether deep learning models applied to facial features may accurately predict the presence of high risk coronary atherosclerosis evaluated at cardiac CT Methods We enrolled a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent clinical indicated cardiac CT for suspected, CAD. Before CT, 10 facial photos were taken from every patients from random fronts views. All cardiac CT were analysed for the presence of non-calcified plaque volume (defined as 23 mm3 was used to define a patients with an elevated volume non-calcified plaque We built a deep learning model, exploiting the transfer learning technique; briefly, we implemented an “xception” architecture, joining a pre-trained convolutional part with a specific combination of dense layers, in which an output layer follows a hidden layer with 512 neurons and a dropout layer with a dropout rate=0.2. The batch size, the number of epochs and the learning rate were 16, 20, and 0.0001, respectively. A training set composed of 198 face images was fed into the model, while 20 face images served as test set for the prediction of the presence of elevated volume of non-calcified plaque from patients facial features. Results We present early results from the first 20 patients enrolled (12 male and 8 female, with mean age of 73±13 years old). In 9 patients cardiac CT resulted completely normal, while in 11 subjects the presence of coronary atherosclerosis was demonstrated. Among them, 9 patients presented non-calcified coronary atherosclerosis, while 6 had an elevated volume of non-calcified plaque. On the test set, we obtained an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values and and AUC equal to 0.90, 1, 0.8, 0.83, 1, and 0.99, respectively for the prediction of the presence of an elevated volume of non-calcified plaque from facial features among all 20 patients enrolled. Conclusions Prediction of the presence of high risk atherosclerosis from deep learning models applied to facial features appeared to be feasible and promising. Our results may provide a useful tool for appropriate identification of patients that may merit to underwent cardiac CT, even if asymptomatic, for early identification of high risk atherosclerosis Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Publisher Copyright: © This dataset is made available under the Open Database License (http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/). The Open Database License (ODbL) is a license agreement intended to allow users to freely share, modify, and use this Dataset while maintaining this same freedom for others, provided that the original source and author(s) are credited In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1.

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Furthermore, three new combinations are proposed. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Salting is a technique used for preserving fish meat and allows obtaining added value products. The salting process provokes several structure modifications, which in turns cause changes in the fish texture. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of three salting procedures (dry salting [DS], mixed salting [MS] and brining [BS]) on the rheology and structure of Merluccius hubbsi (Argentine hake). Rheological properties were evaluated using dynamic oscillatory and thermorheology tests, and the structure changes by scanning electron microscopy. DS samples showed the highest values of salt concentration referred to liquid phase (z

Background In patients with systolic chronic heart failure (CHF) clinical signs of congestion cannot always be evident at clinical examination. Right atrial pressure (RAP) measured by right heart catheterization (RHC) is an accurate and reproducible marker of blood volume. A non-invasive accurate tool to identify CHF patients with normal RAP would be desirable to tailor therapy. Purpose To validate an ultrasound (US)-assessed internal jugular vein distensibility (JVD) ratio to identify patients with normal mean RAP (defined as 7 mmHg or less) measured by RHC. Methods We first identify the JVD ratio that allows the most accurate identification of patients with normal RAP in a prospective calibration cohort of 100 patients with systolic CHF. Then, we tested the JVD ratio threshold to identify patients with normal RAP in a validation cohort of 101 consecutive patients with systolic CHF. All patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) Results In the calibration cohort (mean age 53 years, 13% female; median LVEF 25%, 81% in NYHA class III/IV) we define the best threshold of the JVD ratio to identify patients with normal RAP that has 1.6 with an area under the curve (AUC of 0.74; p1.6, n=42; median RAP 4 mmHg). High JVD ratio and low JVD ratio groups had similar clinical and laboratory characteristics. In the validation cohort (mean age 55 years, 13% female; median LVEF 25%; 56% in NYHA class III/IV) using the previously defined 1.6 JVD ratio threshold, we identified 51 patients with low JVD ratio (median RAP 8 mmHg) and 50 patients with high JVD ratio (median RAP 3 mmHg; p Conclusions We found that US-assessed JVD ratio is a convenient and accurate diagnostic tool to identify patients with advanced systolic CHF with normal vs. increased RAP. This tool could be tested in the ambulatory setting to modulate therapies, particularly diuretics and vasodilators. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. Two new combinations are proposed. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Grapevine yellows (GYs) is one of the most damaging phytoplasma-associated diseases that causes severe yield losses in every geographic area where grapevines are cultivated. The main yellows diseases in grapevine in Europe are “flavescence dorée” (FD, 16SrV-C/D ribosomal subgroups) and “bois noir” (BN, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', 16SrXII-A ribosomal subgroup), transmitted by Scaphoideus titanus Ball and Hyalestes obsoletus Signoret, respectively. Recently the mosaic leafhopper Orientus ishidae (Matsumura) (Cicadellidae; Deltocephalinae) was found to be positive to 16SrV-C and -D phytoplasmas in Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland ; it was also shown as capable to transmit 16SrV phytoplasmas from broadbean to grapevine. To verify the reasons of the continuous GY spreading in the Veneto region (North-Eastern Italy), “Prosecco areas”, the identification and molecular characterization of phytoplasmas in symptomatic and asymptomatic grapevine and insects captured in selected vineyards during a three year-survey was carried out

Introduction The Insomnia Severity Index is a commonly used instrument to assess the presence of insomnia symptoms as well as an outcome measure following an intervention. Longitudinal measurement invariance is a necessary property of an assessment instrument when it is repeated over time. The validity of conclusions regarding change in the construct ‘insomnia severity’ depend on scale equivalence at each measurement timepoint. Assessment of measurement invariance of the ISI in sleep apnea patients has never been performed. Methods Veterans with sleep apnea (n=654; AHI=36±28; 93% male; age=52±12; BMI=33±6) completed the ISI on the night of their overnight PSG and again when they picked up their PAP device. Invariance was determined by imposing a series of more restrictive equivalence constraints on a 2-factor model of the ISI. The series of constraints tested for configural, weak, strong and strict invariance. Invariance testing was modeled with exploratory structural equation modeling in Mplus (v. 7.0). Results The 2-factor model that emerged from the analysis showed items relating to nighttime symptoms loading on factor 1 and daytime symptoms loading on factor 2. The sleep ‘satisfaction’ item, however, had weak but similar loadings on both factors. The increasingly restrictive constraints imposed on the model revealed no decrement in model fit (RMSEA=.039 to.043; CFI=.987 to .980; TLI=.981-.977; SRMR=.027-.041). Conclusion The ISI met strict criteria for longitudinal measurement invariance demonstrating that it is a valid instrument to be used in repeated measures study designs of insomnia in sleep apnea patients. Change over time on the ISI is not due to the changing measurement characteristics of the ISI but to true changes in the ‘insomnia severity’ construct. Support None

An updated inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 1597 species, subspecies, and hybrids, distributed in 725 genera and 152 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 11 ferns and fern allies, 33 gymnosperms, and 1551 angiosperms. 157 taxa are archaeophytes and 1440 neophytes. The alien taxa currently established in Italy are 791 (570 naturalized and 221 invasive), while 705 taxa are casual aliens, 4 are not assessed, 7 are of unknown regional distribution, 47 have not been confirmed in recent times, 3 are considered extinct or possibly extinct in the country, and 40 are doubtfully occurring in Italy. This checklist allows to establish an up-to-date number (9792) of taxa constituting the whole (native and alien) Italian flora.

An updated inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 1597 species, subspecies, and hybrids, distributed in 725 genera and 152 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 11 ferns and fern allies, 33 gymnosperms, and 1551 angiosperms. 157 taxa are archaeophytes and 1440 neophytes. The alien taxa currently established in Italy are 791 (570 naturalized and 221 invasive), while 705 taxa are casual aliens, 4 are not assessed, 7 are of unknown regional distribution, 47 have not been confirmed in recent times, 3 are considered extinct or possibly extinct in the country, and 40 are doubtfully occurring in Italy. This checklist allows to establish an up-to-date number (9792) of taxa constituting the whole (native and alien) Italian flora.

In this contribution new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, exclusions, and confirmations to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the generaAsplenium,Bolboschoenus,Botrychium,Chamaerops,Crocus,Galeopsis,Grafia,Helosciadium,Hieracium,Juniperus,Leucanthemum,Lolium,Medicago,Phalaris,Piptatherum,Potamogeton,Salicornia,Salvia,Seseli,Silene,Spiraea,TorilisandVicia.Rhaponticoidescalabricais proposed assynonym novumofR.centaurium. Furthermore, new combinations in the generaGalatellaandLactucaare proposed.

Based on general morphology, spore measurements and ornamentation (scanning electron microscope), genome size estimation, and molecular systematics (trnL-trnF IGS), we show the extreme systematic complexity within the European representatives of the genus Ophioglossum. In particular, three hybrids from Tuscany are described: the tetraploid O. × pierinii Peruzzi, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane, seen as the hybrid between diploid O. lusitanicum L. and hexaploid O. azoricum C.Presl; the tetraploid O. × giovanninii Peruzzi, Pierini, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane, seen as the homoploid hybrid between tetraploid O. vulgatum L. and tetraploid O. × pierinii Peruzzi, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane; the pentaploid O. × pseudoazoricum Peruzzi, Pierini, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane, seen as the hybrid between hexaploid O. azoricum C.Presl and tetraploid O. vulgatum L. All the three new taxa grow in different localities in the Monte Pisano mountain range.

Studies have shown that joint acquisition programs are prone to experience larger cost and schedule overruns than single service programs, but that cost growth is not related to their generally larger sizes. This paper explains the unique and substantial cost growth of joint programs by describing an underlying causal mechanism that drives the observable schedule delays and cost overruns. Through analysis of actual joint program performance data and the use of that data in a system dynamics model of acquisition program behavior, we characterize two primary sources of joint program cost growth: (1) requirements growth and rework due to a social dilemma that occurs for the Joint Program Office due to interactions among stakeholder programs, and (2) rework driven by more traditional causes such as contract underbidding and the resulting schedule pressure increasing defect levels, and then effectively depressing productivity through the resultant rework. The combination of the two effects diminishes joint program performance significantly, explaining the previously identified degree of severity. In joint programs, the slowing performance manifests itself as a cascade of departing stakeholder programs who are unwilling to accept the growing schedule and cost, ultimately resulting in the cancellation of the program.

Excerpt from the Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Acquisition Research Symposium Acquisition Management

Aiming at improving the knowledge on the source areas of shallow landslides, this research deals with the geotechnical characterization of the debris slope cover of arenaceous formations, by means of low cost dynamic penetration tests (Dynamic Probing – DP).

A new diploid (2n = 18) species, Leucanthemum ligusticum, is described from siliceous outcrops in eastern Liguria (northwestern Italy). This species differs from L. pluriflorum—endemic to northwestern Spain, Galicia and Asturias—and L. monspeliense—endemic to northeastern Spain and central and southern France—mainly by longer petioles of basal and lower cauline leaves, shorter teeth of lower cauline leaves, and narrower ligulate florets and involucral bracts. This new species has western European affinities. Because L. ligusticum is diploid, it is one of the "basic units" of Leucanthemum and therefore a key species for inferring evolutionary relationships in this genus.

A typical hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) lab normally integrates a wide array of digital equipment, each driven by its own internal oscillator. While the various equipment designers may strive to utilize high-precision oscillators in their products, if no synchronization scheme is employed, then time-base drift between the various HWIL components is inevitable. If real-time communications between components is required, such as between the motion simulator controller and the simulation (host) computer, this time-base drift, exacerbated by timing jitter in the communication channel and each component's internal processing loop, can degrade the simulation fidelity. By designing the motion simulator controller to synchronize to an externally provided, facility-wide, standards-based site timing reference such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), the relative time-base drift can be completely eliminated. This paper discusses the advantages of this approach for improving HWIL simulation performance.

ISPRA and Tuscany Region Administration recently funded a project aimed at assessing and mapping landslide hazard of the area of the n. 250 “Castelnuovo di Garfagnana” map (1:50,000 scale). The area includes the upper Serchio River basin (Tuscany, Italy) and exhibits peculiar geological and geomorphological features and severe climatic conditions, which cause high landslide hazard. The project proceeded as follows: 1:10,000 geomorphological survey and landslide inventory map; Physical and mechanical properties of rocks (discontinuities, strength, rock mass classification) and soils (grain size, consistency); GIS oriented organization of the spatial distribution of the considered factors; GIS supported statistical analysis (spatial analysis, conditional and multivariate analyses, neural network technique); Landslide hazard map, where landslide hazard is subdivided into five classes based on instability probability; Final products: landslide hazard map at 1:50,000 scale, together with other related maps (landslide map, structural sketch, geotechnical sketch, isohyet map, etc.); explaining booklet; database.

This paper will examine a sandstone cliff south of the town of Livorno Italy, between the Rio Maroccone mouth to the north and the Leone cove to the south, in its most dangerous area, between the sea and the main road Aurelia. The aim of this paper is to divide the area into homogenous hazard classes and assess the possible kinematic evolution. The paper refers to an evaluation of parameters that may trigger rock falls on the cliff, which could constitute dangers for tourists. The identification of critical areas has been achieved through the elaboration of landslide susceptibility maps. The geotechnical study was carried out on the Macigno Fm at the site. Field surveys and indirect tests for classifying rock masses and estimating the uniaxial compression strength (UCS) were performed. Some numerical analyses were executed to study the static and dynamic behavior of the slope. The results confirm the vulnerability of the areas, demonstrating the dynamic instability of the analyzed sections and a precarious equilibrium is also in static conditions. These analyses, compared with the site surveys, show poor data and in some cases alarming results; some portions of the cliff are under limit equilibrium conditions or close to it, especially in some of the areas appreciated by tourists and bather. Through the numerical modeling the critical situation of these slopes becomes even more evident, confirmed by some rock falls of small blocks occurred during the geomechanical survey period. To make the situation even worse, the whole area is constantly subject to exogenous agents such as strong winds and the wave action, which determine a rapid deterioration of the mechanical characteristics of strength in the Macigno Sandstone.

Several research works have been published on the slope stability in the northern Tuscany (central Italy) and particularly in the seismic areas of Garfagnana and Lunigiana (Lucca and Massa‐Carrara districts), aimed at analysing the slope stability under static and dynamic conditions and mapping the landslide hazard ([16], [5], [6], [9]). In addition, in situ and laboratory investigations are available for the study area, thanks to the activities undertaken by the Tuscany Seismic Survey. Based on such a huge information the co‐seismic stability of few ideal slope profiles have been analysed by means of Limit equilibrium method LEM—(pseudo—static) and Newmark sliding block analysis (pseudo‐dynamic). The analysis—results gave indications about the most appropriate seismic coefficient to be used in pseudo‐static analysis after establishing allowable permanent displacement. Such indications are commented in the light of the Italian and European prescriptions for seismic stability analysis with pseudo‐static ap...

Biogeographia vol. XX V//I - 2007 {Pubblicato il 30 dicembre 2007) Biogeografia de/l’Appennino centrale e settentriona/e: trenfanni dopo Fitogeografla apuana. Aggiornamenti biosistematici, tassonomici e corologici sulle Spermatophyta endemiche, relitte e critiche FABIO GARBARI, GIANNI BEDINI, l\/IARIAANSALDI, DINO l\/lARCHETTl* Orto laotzmico eMu5eo /aotzmim, Dz'p:zrn'mm2f0 di Biologizz, z/izz L. G/:zz'm' 5, 56126 Pisa (Italy); e—mzzi[: fgm‘[7zzrz'@[7i0[ogz'zz. zzizzpi. it, gb£tz'z'nz'@[2z'0[0gz'zz. zmzpi. it, mzzn.tzz/a'z'@/7i0/0gz'zz. Zt7ll;Z7li. it *Vizz Irorzzo 6, 54100 Mzzsszz (Itzz/y); e—mzzz'[: dz'rz0mzzrcbettz'@/i[m*0.it Key words: Apuan Alps, biosystematics. endemics, relics, plant distribution SUMMARY An updated review of the biosystematics, chorology and taxonomy of the main important taxa of the Apuan Alps flowering plants is given, particularly of the endemic, relic and rare units. Of some of them a distribution map is provided, together with information on their population demography, ecological preferences and karyology. INTRODUZIONE A piii di 35- anni di distanza dal convegno della Societet Italiana di Biogeografia dedicato alle Alpi Apuane, E: stato rivisto il quadro delle coho- scenze floristiche di questo settore dell’Italia appenninica, i cui tratti salienti erano stati delineati a quel tempo da Ferrarini (1971), da Orsino (1971), da Pichi Serrnolli (1971) e, per quanto riguarda qualche aspetto citotasson0rni- co, da Garbari (1971). Nei tre decenni e mezzo trascorsi, sono state fatte numerose scoperte con descrizione di nuove unitit sistematiche o revisioni di carattere tassor1omico— nomenclaturale che hanno portato a consistenti chiarimenti del quadro floristi— co, ma anche osservazioni di tipo storico, erbariale e di carnpagna, con Valuta- zioni di carattere ecologico, fitogeografico e biosistematico qui riassunte. Le ricer- che ~ particolarmente dei botanici pisani e fiorentini — hanno portato a un buon

In addition to mechanical alignments, precision machine interfaces, and accurate readout transducers, the servo controller is a key component in producing reliable and improved position accuracies. Sub-arc-second accuracies are possible by transducer interpolation and axis calibration. This level of position accuracy is less than a fraction of an inch in angular attitude heading error in one mile of travel. To achieve this accuracy with reliability and repeatability, a new generation of servo controller is needed: one that uses the latest in digital sampling techniques to improve signal fidelity by eliminating noise-prone feedback signals. Position feedback signals consist of a random and a deterministic error. New digital sampling techniques can reduce random errors, while manipulation of stored position calibration data within the controller’s memory can reduce deterministic errors. These techniques have produced a position accuracy of 0.05 arc-seconds and a position resolution of 0.01 arc-seconds. This improved position accuracy relates to an improvement in other specifications as a 0.02% rate error over a one-degree interval.

The Calomini hermitage is located on a steep slope, below an 80- to 130-m-high hanging rock wall. The hermitage, a significant example of religious architecture, has been a pilgrimage place since the Middle Ages. The monastery, completed by the tenth century, is built into the rock mass for more than half of its length. The stability and safety of the complex are threatened by stability problems in the rock slope. Structural and geotechnical investigations were carried out, showing the potential for rock blocks slides, particularly under dynamic conditions, with the fall of middle size blocks. Recently, some remedial works have been carried out, and wire meshes have been hung on the rock wall. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the Calomini hermitage area may be still dangerous and exposed to severe landslide hazard. Therefore, further research and countermeasures are necessary to protect a very important item of Italian cultural and architectural heritage.

A case of unexpected death associated with an aneurysm of the left ventricle caused by nonpenetrating chest trauma is described. A review of the more recent literature on the incidence, pathological course, and prognosis of the posttraumatic ventricular aneurysm pointed out the necessity of suspecting cardiac damage in cases of blunt chest trauma especially when major injuries may obscure heart involvement.

Between 1999 and 2001, 355 hospital laboratories in Italy were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing mycobacterial test methods, 1-year workloads and laboratory safety features. Analysis of the data showed that rapid methods for mycobacterial testing were being used by most larger laboratories; however, sub-optimal methods were still in use in small and medium-size laboratories. In a country such as Italy, which has a low prevalence of tuberculosis cases, implementation of rapid technologies, combined with regionalisation of mycobacterial diagnostic services, seems to be the most reasonable and costeffective strategy.