On groundwater flow and shallow geothermal potential: A surrogate model for regional scale analyses.

Many cities worldwide lay upon alluvial aquifers which have a great potential for low temperature geothermal installations thanks to the thermal diffusive properties of saturated porous media and the constant temperature of the subsurface. In addition, aquifers with fast moving groundwater have a higher potential due to the additional energy replenishment by advection, which is often underestimated. This work aims at bridging the gap between quantitative hydro-thermal numerical analysis and regional scale assessment developing a process-based surrogate model for the estimation of the thermal exchange (geothermal) potential of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) considering groundwater advection.

Brain 18 F-FET in a Case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

A 58-year-old woman, with a history of acute myeloid leukemia in complete response, was referred to the emergency department of our hospital for loss of consciousness. A brain MRI showed an intracranial mass suggestive for either primary brain tumor or brain metastasis. 18 F-FET PET/CT revealed increased uptake of the lesion.

Hydrological, thermal and chemical influence of an intact rock glacier discharge on mountain stream water.

Rock glaciers are the most prominent permafrost-related mountain landforms. This study investigates the effects of the discharge from an intact rock glacier on the hydrological, thermal and chemical dynamics of a high-elevation stream in the NW Italian Alps. Despite draining only 39 % of the watershed area, the rock glacier sourced a disproportionately large amount of discharge to the stream, with the highest relative contribution to the catchment streamflow occurring in late summer - early autumn (up to 63 %).

Triggering and recovery of earthquake accelerated landslides in Central Italy revealed by satellite radar observations.

Earthquake triggered landslides often pose a great threat to human life and property. Emerging research has been devoted to documenting coseismic landslides failed during or shortly after earthquakes, however, the long-term seismic effect that causes unstable landslides only to accelerate, moderately or acutely, without immediate failures is largely neglected. Here we show the activation and recovery of these earthquake accelerated landslides (EALs) in Central Italy, based on satellite radar observations.

The subsurface urban heat island in Milan (Italy) - A modeling approach covering present and future thermal effects on groundwater regimes.

Knowledge on the intensity and extension of current subsurface urban heat islands (SUHI) is not only based on the availability of spatiotemporal high-resolution and long-term groundwater monitoring data but also in-depth investigations on the role of single natural and anthropogenic factors. A holistic city-scale 3D FEM model is presented to introduce possible thermal management applications in the Milan metropolitan area such as: (1) understanding the hydro-thermal regime of the urban aquifer disentangling the thermal contribution of natural and anthropogenic heat sources, (2) quantifying the geothermal potential and (3) investigating the effects of urbanization and climate change scenarios. Focusing on the most relevant heat sources (boundaries) and transport mechanisms (parameters), this work deals with (I) the reconstruction of large-scale aquifer heterogeneities to consider the advective dominated heat transport, (II) the accurate definition of the upper thermal boundary by a coupled analytical solution and (III) the integration of natural and human-related fluid/heat sources as transient boundary conditions.

Role of landslides on the volume balance of the Nepal 2015 earthquake sequence.

The 7.8 M earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25th, 2015 triggered over 21,000 landslides over an area of more than 25,000 km. These landslides contributed to mass wasting, partially compensating the tectonic uplift by the earthquake.

Hydro-stratigraphic datasets for the reconstruction of a large scale 3D FEM numerical model in the Milan metropolitan area (northern Italy).

One of the objectives of groundwater numerical modeling is to accurately reproduce the flow velocity field and the flow and transport pathways. In this article the hydro-stratigraphic dataset, used in the co-submitted article "Modeling the interference of underground structures with groundwater flow and remedial solutions in Milan" (De Caro et al., 2020) [1], is presented.

Multi-element compound specific stable isotope analysis of chlorinated aliphatic contaminants derived from chlorinated pitches.

Tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene are typical by-products of the industrial production of chloromethanes. These by-products are known as "chlorinated pitches" and were often dumped in un-contained waste disposal sites causing groundwater contaminations. Previous research showed that a strongly depleted stable carbon isotope signature characterizes chlorinated compounds associated with chlorinated pitches whereas manufactured commercial compounds have more enriched carbon isotope ratios.

Comparison of multiple techniques for endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration specimen preparation in a single institution experience.

Background: The optimal method for specimen preparation of endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is still controversial. This study aims to compare several techniques available for EBUS-TBNA specimen acquisition and processing, in order to identify the best performing technique.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 199 consecutive patients [male, 73%; median age, 64 years (IQR: 52-74 years)] undergoing EBUS-TBNA at our institution from 2012 through 2014 for diagnosis of hilar-mediastinal lymph node enlargement suspect of neoplastic (n=139) or granulomatous (n=60) disease.

Multicentric study of endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration for lung cancer staging in Italy.

Background: Multi-institutional studies of endobronchial-ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for mediastinal staging in lung cancer are scarce. It is unclear if the high diagnostic performance of EBUS-TBNA reported by experts' guidelines can be generally achieved.

Methods: This is a retrospective study performed in five tertiary referral centers of thoracic surgery in Italy, to assess the EBUS-TBNA diagnostic performance in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Borehole flowmeter logging for the accurate design and analysis of tracer tests.

Tracer tests often give ambiguous interpretations that may be due to the erroneous location of sampling points and/or the lack of flow rate measurements through the sampler. To obtain more reliable tracer test results, we propose a methodology that optimizes the design and analysis of tracer tests in a cross borehole mode by using vertical borehole flow rate measurements. Experiments using this approach, herein defined as the Bh-flow tracer test, have been performed by implementing three sequential steps: (1) single-hole flowmeter test, (2) cross-hole flowmeter test, and (3) tracer test.

Characterization of fine resolution field spectrometers using solar Fraunhofer lines and atmospheric absorption features.

The accurate spectral characterization of high-resolution spectrometers is required for correctly computing, interpreting, and comparing radiance and reflectance spectra acquired at different times or by different instruments. In this paper, we describe an algorithm for the spectral characterization of field spectrometer data using sharp atmospheric or solar absorption features present in the measured data. The algorithm retrieves systematic shifts in channel position and actual full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the instrument by comparing data acquired during standard field spectroscopy measurement operations with a reference irradiance spectrum modeled with the MODTRAN4 radiative transfer code.

Image analysis and automatic classification of transformed foci.

Carcinogenesis is a multi-step process involving genetic alterations and non-genotoxic mechanisms. The in vitro cell transformation assay allows the monitoring of the neoplastic phenotype by foci formation in suitable cells (e.g.

Effects of surgery, medical therapy and combined therapeutical approach on spermatogenesis in patients suffering from varicocele: a prospective and comparative analysis.

The definite mechanisms through which varicocele affects spermatogenesis are still not completely understood, and consequently the exact role of the various approaches available for its treatment is still under debate. In this study a comparison of medical treatment, surgery and combined approach is reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS.

Enterovesical fistulas secondary to Crohn's disease:medical versus surgical therapies.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of medical therapies, especially infliximab, to induce remission of enteric fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD). Similarly to CD, chronic transmural inflammation of the bowel, diverticulitis and other pathologies may predispose to the development of fistulas. The risk of fistulization secondary to CD ranges from 17% to 80%.

Scoring CFU-GM colonies in vitro by data fusion: a first account.

Objective: In vitro models of hematopoiesis used in investigative hematopathology and in safety studies on candidate drugs, involve clonogenic assays on colony-forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM). These assays require live and unstained colonies to be counted. Most laboratories still rely on visual scoring, which is time-consuming and error-prone.

Classifying structural alterations of the cytoskeleton by spectrum enhancement and descriptor fusion.

A classifier capable of ranking structural alterations of the cytoskeleton is developed. Images of cytoskeletal microtubules obtained from the epifluorescence microscopy of primary culture rat hepatocytes are analyzed. Morphological descriptors are extracted by contour and mass fractal analysis, direct methods, and spectrum enhancement.

Cytotoxicity and induction of protective mechanisms in HepG2 cells exposed to cadmium.

Cadmium is a widespread industrial pollutant. The primary route of exposure occurs via contaminated drinking water or food supplies, and tobacco. Its chronic introduction and ingestion lead to bio-magnification in target organs, as the liver.

Quantitative kinetics of damage and recovery of cytoskeletal structure by means of image analysis.

The cytoskeleton is a network of proteins which structurally and dynamically organise the cytoplasm of living cells. Microtubules are among its constituents. Morphological alterations of microtubules are related to functional impairment.

Microscopy and quantitative morphology of aluminum silicate nanoparticles grown on organic templates.

Biomimetic synthesis of ceramic materials is increasing in popularity because it offers many advantages. In this work, aluminum silicate nanoparticles were obtained on a self-assembled organic multilayer at near room temperature (30 < or = T < or = 50 degrees C) and at atmospheric pressure. Morphological and microanalytical characterization was carried out by means of transmission electron microscopy and subsequent image analysis.

Multivariate analysis and classification of two-dimensional angular optical scattering patterns from aggregates.

Two-dimensional light-scattering patterns from aggregates have undergone feature extraction followed by multivariate statistical analysis. The aggregates are comprised of primary particles of varying shape and size. Morphological descriptors (features) were extracted by a nonlinear filtering algorithm (spectrum enhancement) and then processed by principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis.

Technical modification of Mainz pouch II urinary diversion: preliminary experience.

Use of the Mainz pouch II technique leads to a reduction in the complications frequently observed because of the high pressure associated with ureterosigmoidostomy. A technical variation of the procedure is described in which reimplantation of the left ureter in the rectosigmoid is carried out to avoid the risk of stretching and kinking and the need to fix the pouch to the sacrum. Furthermore, this procedure is easier to perform and less time consuming.

Optical scattering (TAOS) by tire debris particles: preliminary results.

Tire debris particles from low severity laboratory wear tests have been investigated by the TAOS optical scattering facility at Yale University. The incident wavelength is 532 nm. After the TAOS event some particle samples have been imaged by a scanning electron microscope and microanalyzed.

Percutaneous sclerotization of simple renal cysts with 95% ethanol followed by 24-48 h drainage with nephrostomy tube.

Aim Of The Study: We propose some technique devices for treating simple renal cysts with percutaneous puncture (PCN) to reduce recurrences.

Materials And Methods: Between January 1995 and December 1998, a series of 42 patients, 13 females and 29 males, ranging in age between 49 and 73 were treated for symptomatic kidney cystic disease. The cysts varied between 7.

Volatile halocarbons in a drinking water supply system: forecasting contamination values and estimating health risk.

The network, which supplies drinking water to the city of Milan, has a number of sampling points, where the concentrations of several contaminants are periodically measured. From the time series of total volatile halocarbon (VHC) concentration values (in the ppb range) autoregressive models can be obtained for each sampling point. A suitable figure of merit is minimized, which depends on the backcast error and on the model order.