Showing papers by "University of Udine published in 2023"

Multi-Scalar analysis of Terrace use and Abandonment in Soave, northern Italy.

Abstract: Agricultural terraces preserve evidence of human action and subsistence strategies from the smallest scales of soil chemistry to the scale of their geographic extent, often hectares. These soils are subject to processes of reworking, both through their construction, use and maintenance by humans and by natural slope processes and pedogenesis. Changes in use, either through abandonment or re-purposing, affect the pedogical and sedimentological processes on the slope, often resulting in partial or toal collapse of the terrase walls. Recent research into soil organic carbon storage makes the understanding of terrace anthrosols an important aspect of modern environmental monitoring and Anthropocene landscape transformations.Here, we attempt to demonstrate the integration of chemical, micromorphological, stratigraphic, and topographic data for construction, use and abandonment of terraces into three study areas (Soave Castle, Fornace Michelon and Belloca )in Veneto, northern Italy (45.420198°N, 11.255179°E). Soil geochemical data, microbotanical evidence (including phytoliths and soil DNA), luminescence data (both pOSL and OSL dating, radiocarbon, and topographical information are integrated to produce a socio-environmental synthesis which is compared to the known archaeological, historical and environmental records for the region during the past 3000 years. In particular, erosion risk and soil volumes calculated from surface models and test pits aid in understanding how the slope has been modified over time, and how intensity of human activity has impacted soil development and loss. This integrated data provides us a robust platform for assessing the understanding actions taken by farmers to alter the slope and make it more suitable for cultivation, as well as the effects of abandonment and reuse. 

Whole-Body Vibration for Tractor Drivers

Abstract: Among the main health risks for operators in the agricultural sector, exposure to mechanical vibrations is certainly one of the most difficult factors to quantify, in relation to the continuous and heterogeneous use of agricultural machinery during the agricultural year. According to data provided by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), 24% of workers in the European Union are exposed to mechanical vibration. Italian workers result to be exposed to the risk of this physical agents with frequencies around 21%. In reason of this data and in order to avoid the consequences of exposure to vibrations on workers’ health, it is therefore necessary to carry out a risk analysis in the workplace and, where necessary, to take appropriate preventive measures. The aim of our research was, therefore, to measure vibration exposure and disturbances that can be transmitted while driving agricultural tractors. In particular, the vibrations transmitted, through the seat, at the lumbar spine, lumbosacral spine and cervical-dorsal junction were assessed. The results showed that the vibrations were evenly distributed over the entire spinal column without statistically significant differences depending on the areas sampled. In some cases, higher accelerations were observed in the cervical-dorsal area, probably due to the vibrations transmitted by the steering wheel. The analysis of whole-body vibration transmission in relation to the different fat mass (BMI) of the operators involved in the tests showed no significant differences moment.

Improving Knowledge Retention and Perceived Control through Serious Games: a Study about Assisted Emergency Evacuation

Abstract: Digital games for education and training, also called serious games (SGs), have shown beneficial effects on learning in several studies. In addition, some studies are suggesting that SGs could improve user's perceived control, which affects the likelihood that the learned content will be applied in the real world. However, most SG studies tend to focus on immediate effects, providing no indication on knowledge and perceived control over time, especially in contrast with nongame approaches. Moreover, SG research on perceived control has focused mainly on self-efficacy, disregarding the complementary construct of locus of control (LOC). This paper advances both lines of research, assessing user's knowledge and LOC over time, with a SG as well as traditional printed materials that teach the same content. Results show that the SG was more effective than printed materials for knowledge retention over time, and a better retention outcome was found also for LOC. An additional contribution of the paper is the proposal of a novel SG that targets the inclusivity goal of safe evacuation for all, extending SG research to a domain not dealt with before, i.e. assisting persons with disabilities in emergencies.

Neural Networks Reduction via Lumping

Abstract: The increasing size of recently proposed Neural Networks makes it hard to implement them on embedded devices, where memory, battery and computational power are a non-trivial bottleneck. For this reason during the last years network compression literature has been thriving and a large number of solutions has been published to reduce both the number of operations and the parameters involved with the models. Unfortunately, most of these reducing techniques are actually heuristic methods and usually require at least one re-training step to recover the accuracy. The need of procedures for model reduction is well-known also in the fields of Verification and Performances Evaluation, where large efforts have been devoted to the definition of quotients that preserve the observable underlying behaviour. In this paper we try to bridge the gap between the most popular and very effective network reduction strategies and formal notions, such as lumpability, introduced for verification and evaluation of Markov Chains. Elaborating on lumpability we propose a pruning approach that reduces the number of neurons in a network without using any data or fine-tuning, while completely preserving the exact behaviour. Relaxing the constraints on the exact definition of the quotienting method we can give a formal explanation of some of the most common reduction techniques.

A Facilitating Machine for Silkworm Rearing

Abstract: The Silkworm breeding is an activity that was formerly practiced in China and began in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy) between 1400 and 1500 AD. In the Friuli countryside declining after 1950 and all attempts to revive this industry have subsequently failed for various reasons, not least the lack of adequate technology. The problem of producing silk today is in fact linked to the design and construction of machinery to facilitate silkworm rearing so as to make it attractive to farms in terms of both working conditions and production. The SILK project financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region was conceived within this framework with the aim of relaunching silk production. The agricultural mechanization research group of DI4A of the University of Udine took charge of the design and construction of a prototype of a facilitating machine for the first larval ages of the silkworm. The objectives conceived for the prototype machine were to allow the silkworm rearer to easily and relatively quickly manage the cleaning of the bedding with the aid of stainless steel trays fitted with mesh or perforated paper. To have also the possibility of keeping the silkworms on stackable shelves so as to rationally exploit the surface area of the available rooms. The design phase was done in CAD and then the machine was built, assembled and brought to a silkworm farmer where the first tests were carried out to check the advantages compared to the manual operations adopted up to that moment.

Mycophenolate Interruption Restores Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Immunogenicity in Unresponsive Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract: Background & aims: The fourth dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine slightly improved the humoral response among previously seronegative liver transplant (LT) recipients. Mycophenolate (MMF) treatment worsens the vaccination response. This study aimed to evaluate whether temporary MMF interruption might improve the immunogenicity of the fourth anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT16b2 vaccine dose in nonresponsive LT recipients. Methods: LT recipients negative for anti-spike glycoprotein-specific immunoglobulin G receptor-binding domain (s-RBD) antibodies after the third vaccine dose were enrolled. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific T-cell responses were measured before and 2 months following the fourth vaccine dose, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 s-RBD antibodies also 6 months thereafter. MMF was suspended two weeks before and after vaccination. Results: Five LT recipients were enrolled. After a mean of 78 days after vaccination, all patients tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 s-RBD antibodies. The mean antibody titer was 8944 UI/mL. The positive antibody response was maintained during a mean of 193 days of follow-up. Three patients developed a positive T-cell response. Two patients (one positive for T-cell response) developed a self-limited SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Suspending MMF prior to the fourth dose of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine seems feasible and safe. This procedure could restore vaccine-induced immunogenicity in a large portion of previously nonresponsive LT recipients.

Current status and practical considerations of artificial intelligence use in screening and diagnosing retinal diseases: Vision Academy retinal expert consensus

Abstract: Purpose of review The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in screening and diagnosing retinal diseases may play an important role in telemedicine and has potential to shape modern healthcare ecosystems, including within ophthalmology. Recent findings In this article, we examine the latest publications relevant to AI in retinal disease and discuss the currently available algorithms. We summarize four key requirements underlining the successful application of AI algorithms in real-world practice: processing massive data; practicability of an AI model in ophthalmology; policy compliance and the regulatory environment; and balancing profit and cost when developing and maintaining AI models. Summary The Vision Academy recognizes the advantages and disadvantages of AI-based technologies and gives insightful recommendations for future directions.

From wood anatomy to satellites: new frontiers for the upscaling of climate change in the Alpine tundra

Abstract: Tree ring growth is strictly bound to annual environmental conditions. Therefore, dendrochronology represents a solid tool for investigating the relationship between the whole plant growth and climate at high temporal resolution, especially in the context of ongoing climate change.The temperature increase in the Alpine and Arctic ecosystems has been proven to enhance shrub growth contributing to the Arctic/Alpine greening, while the effects of the interaction between temperature and other climatic variables (e.g. precipitation/snowfall regime) on the shrub growth have often been neglected.With the aim of parsing the relationships between the annual growth of Vaccinium myrtillus L., a key species in the Alpine tundra, temperature, precipitation, snowfall regime (i.e., in terms of temperature-based snowfall, known as snow water equivalent) and their interaction, we analyzed the xylem rings of 100 cross sections of underground bilberry stem, collected along a 500 meters altitude gradient above the tree line and corresponding over a period of 20 years (1995-2015). Furthermore, aiming at linking different ecological scales, we have adopted an ecological upscaling approach. With reference to the area and the period considered, we calculated NDVI using satellite images, and we studied the relationships between this vegetation index, climate, and the anatomical parameters.Our results showed that both number (i.e. ramet age) and mean width of the rings were negatively affected by altitude. The mean annual temperature and snowfall showed significant interaction effects on mean ring width and xylem mean lumen area. Cold years (i.e. low mean annual temperature) and abundant snowfall led to a reduction in the mean ring width, while the snowfall regime did not affect annual ring width in warm years. Xylem mean lumen area was affected by precipitation only in cold years. The mean growth season NDVI increased significantly in the time span considered and showed a positive relationship with the average age of the bilberry community. The interaction between rainfall and average temperature of the vegetative season influenced the NDVI: a negative relationship between vegetation index and rainfall was observed in cooler vegetative seasons, while the relationship was specular in the case of higher temperatures.These results suggest that future scenarios should not overlook the precipitation regime effect by virtue of its possible role in snowpack permanence and drought during the growth season. In this light the shrub expansion could also be curbed by the change of precipitation regime and the increased frequency of extreme climate events (e.g., shift of snowfall regime and intensification of heat waves). Moreover, our findings confirmed the potential use of the remote sensing tool for the understanding of the response of dwarf shrub communities to climate change also for long-term monitoring of these plant communities.

Pros and Cons of Active Management

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the benefits and on the threats of active management retracing the most significant contributions of the extensive literature on this topic. We firstly focus on the definition of active management, active risk and on the sources of alpha. Then we focus on the main issues of interest concerning active management, namely: (1) the higher costs and underperformance of active funds compared with respect to index funds; (2) the attitude of herding which can generate market inefficiencies; (3) the impact of the incentive schemes, short-terminism, and incentive fees on returns; (4) the threats and opportunities of mispricing and market anomalies.

Searching for Market Drivers: Factor Investing

Abstract: Factor investing is designed to select securities based on different market drivers among which, the first that have been identified from the academic literature are size, value, and momentum. Factor research has the objective of generating risk and return profiles that differ from traditional models, focusing on different market drivers compatible with investor expectations. This investment style can be considered somewhere between active management and passive management. Active because the research is that of active returns with respect to the market portfolio, passive because it is based on defined and transparent rules. In this chapter, we first focus on the origins of factors through the academic literature. Secondly, we move to the asset manager’s perspective describing the various facets of factor investing in asset management. Finally, we focus on indexes aimed to describe each factor.

The Need for a Change: Sustainable Finance

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the birth and evolution of sustainable finance. The main steps that have been taken in the last century in this sector are retraced. Over time, in fact, the perspective of investors has increasingly broadened towards assessments that go beyond the portfolio’s risk and return profile and which include the principles of investment ethics. We will first focus on the steps, not only regulatory, which have been most decisive for the growth of the sector. The second part focuses on the empirical evidence of the impact of ESG integration on the assessment of financial performance and on the fundamental role of ESG disclosure as a strategic management tool for a company.

The Next Challenge: ESG and CLIMATE Investing

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the most recent investment approaches dictated by investors’ growing awareness of the positive impact that finance can have on sustainability and climate change mitigation. We will first focus on ESG investing and on the main tool available to the manager for defining the portfolio, i.e., the ESG ratings. A description of the main rating providers will be provided, emphasising the problem of divergence in ratings as well as the size effect. The main sustainable investment strategies will then be listed. We will therefore focus on climate investing, briefly listing the European regulatory process that led to the sudden development of this investment philosophy. Finally, we will focus on the ESG and climate indices and on the risk and return profiles of a sample of these indices.

Bilingüismo y autotraducción: la poesía de Joan Margarit Un estudio de caso

Abstract: The present article intends to analyse, through the method of the case study, the compositional and selftranslational strategies, at a synchronic and diachronic level, practiced by the Catalan-Spanish bilingual writer Joan Margarit with the intention of advancing in the study of the creative processes linked to the bilingualism of endogenous and vertical writing, to the phenomena of supratraduction and to the impact of the convergence of languages in the literary idiolect. Some reflections linked to the impact of historical traumas on the topics of poetry, the complexity of multicultural identities and the features of the publishing field in a multilingual country such as Spain will also be presented.

Gregory IX and Rome: Artistic Patronage, Ceremonies and Ritual Space

Abstract: Literature on Gregory IX’s patronage has hitherto considered the façade mosaics of Old St Peter’s as his ‘only known enterprise’ in Rome. Previously overlooked sources (both documentary and epigraphic), combined with a fresh analysis of architectural and material evidence, lead us to demonstrate that his attention to the City was much more wide-ranging and of a far greater scope: from churches to welfare structures and urban infrastructures, including a poorhouse, the major bridge of Rome and a sewer system for the viability of the streets; from buildings in the Patriarchio to a stauroteca for the Holy Cross, from textiles to the finest manuscripts; from the commission of a monumental bell for the promotion of the Vatican, not to mention his intervention in favour of the Franciscans. Furthermore, grandly orchestrated processions throughout the city played just as an important role as the ‘patronage’ itself in shaping the Rome of Gregory IX.

Il profilo dell’insegnante di lingue minoritarie, tra standardizzazione delle competenze e varietà dei modelli scolastici

Abstract: Our paper is based on this observation: there is a link between the quality of the language teaching, and the visibility and recognition of the skills of the teachers. In communities identified by a minority language, school and education have a key role in their maintenance and enhancement; at this time, though, it isn’t possible to drawn up a satisfactory result about the quality of minority language (ML) teaching in Italy; this is also because of the lack of a common and issued profile of the skills of the teachers.

Conservation Documentation

Abstract: Documentation is a fundamental activity of modern book conservation to record both historical evidence and the state of conservation of objects to assess (and plan) their needs for treatment, digitization, exhibitions, and other activities. Documentation generally involves the careful description of materials, techniques, and structures, recording the physical characteristics of the artefacts examined and statistical analyses of such information as well as illustrations, diagrams, and/or photographs. Historically, documentation records resided in paper archives, while today, most departments have switched to digital documents and ad hoc databases. In addition to descriptive records, photographic documentation for many years has been used as a vital source of information on the state of conservation of books and documents, and, more recently, high resolution and advanced imaging and image processing are becoming increasingly important, as their ability to enhance documentation can expand the capabilities of conservation and preservation professionals. This chapter provides an overview of book conservation documentation, balancing what can be conveyed through verbal descriptions and pictorial representations, and presents current trends and foreseen technological advancements in the field.

The Impact of Index Design on Asset Management

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the impact of different equity index construction methodologies on the risk-return profile of managed portfolios. The first step is to define the characteristics that a market index must show to be used as benchmark in the asset management industry. Secondly, we critically analyse the main threats originated by using an equity market index composed according to the market cap of its components. The analysis of the impact of this methodology is extremely important because of their widespread use by institutional investors. In particular, the focus is on the distortions in their composition generated by overvalued securities (which can fuel financial bubbles) and on the risk of low diversification. Moreover, we provide evidence of the differences between alternative index construction methodologies, such as methodologies based on market representativity and on portfolio efficiency.

Complete Endovascular Stenting of the Inferior Vena Cava Following Its Twisting After Liver Transplantation

Abstract: In liver transplantation (LT), inferior vena cava (IVC) outflow obstruction has been reported in 3% of cases.1 The main determinants are technical errors, extensive fibrosis, and ab extrinsic compression.2 The clinical presentation ranges from lower limb edema to ascites to even allograft failure. Diagnosis is confirmed by contrast computed tomography (CT) scan and by cavography.1 We present a case of a 60-y-old woman who underwent deceased-donor LT for alcohol-related cirrhosis. Piggyback technique, using all hepatic vein orifices, was adopted. Five months after LT, she developed imprinted lower limb edema and diuretic-responsive mild ascites. A contrast CT scan showed a “twisting” of the IVC at the caudal portion of the piggyback anastomosis because of graft rotation (Figure 1). Cavography showed patent suprahepatic veins without transanastomotic pressure gradient. Thus, an endovascular stent (Sinus-XL 30 × 60 mm, Optimed Medizinische Instrumente GmbH, Ettlingen, Germany) was placed in the IVC. Three weeks later, lower limb edema and ascites persisted. A new cavography demonstrated further twisting of the IVC at the caudal extremity of the stent. Considering the high risk of a retransplant, we decided to place another endovascular stent (Sinus-XL 22 × 100 mm) to extend the existing stent inside the IVC. Postprocedure cavography demonstrated that twisting of the IVC was still present at the extreme caudal site of the second stent. Thus, a third endovascular stent (Sinus-XL 22 × 80 mm) was placed, extending the previous 2 stents, reaching the outlet of the renal veins. Four weeks later, both the limb edema and ascites partially improved. The new cavography showed, during each inspiration, nearly complete collapse of the IVC at the extreme caudal site of the third stent. Four additional stents (12 × 60 mm and 14 × 60 mm in IVC; BARD Luminexx, NJ), extending the third stent into the left and right iliac veins (12 × 40 and 14 × 40 mm), were placed. Two weeks later, a contrast CT scan demonstrated complete resolution of IVC twisting (Figure 2). The full sequence of endovascular procedures is documented in Video 1. Limb edema and ascites disappeared in 2 wk, and after a follow-up of 12 mo, the patient remained asymptomatic with preserved graft function, and IVC remained patent at the Doppler ultrasound performed every 2 mo.FIGURE 1.: Contrast CT scan key images obtained at a clinical presentation of limb edema and mild diuretic responsive ascites. A, The horizontal plane CT scan image, demonstrating stenosis of the IVC closed to the piggyback anastomosis (arrow), with patency of the 3 hepatic veins. The caudal portion of the IVC is dilated. B, The sagittal CT scan image that illustrates in more detail a significant IVC stenosis, starting 4 mm caudally to the piggyback anastomosis (arrow). The lumen of the IVC between the piggyback anastomosis and the right heart atrium is uneven. This suggests the presence of a slowing of the flow inside the IVC that, in the absence of thrombosis, can be compatible with a twisting of the vein. CT, computed tomography; IVC, inferior vena cava.FIGURE 2.: Contrast CT scan key image obtained after the successful placement of the seventh endovascular stent. The image shows the entire inferior vena cava and both iliac veins underwent endovascular stenting, which allowed complete resolution of the vein twist. CT, computed tomography.To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of repeated twisting of the IVC after LT treated with insertion of 7 endovascular stents. When ballooning of the IVC is insufficient to restore the durable patency of the vein,3 IVC stenosis after LT is treated with endovascular techniques.3-5 Likewise, endovascular stents may sometimes migrate distally or become thrombosed.1 In our case, although the first endovascular stent did not migrate, it was insufficient to restore IVC patency. We hypothesized that the increased abdominal pressure exerted by ascites precluded the maintenance of IVC patency. Otherwise, a pericaval fibrosis could be developed following the dissection of the caudate lobe from IVC during hepatectomy. In summary, complete stenting of the IVC and iliac veins was successfully performed, avoiding the need to surgically remake the anastomosis.

Multi-temporal and multi-scale remote sensing techniques to assess the risk of crop production in soil salinization scenario

Abstract: As the world population reaches eight billion people with indications of further growth, food security becomes one of the most important topics. At the same time, agriculture is facing a loss of arable land, reducing production capacities. Soil salinization represents a growing threat to coastal agriculture, as the combination of sea level rise and prolonged drought conditions. Identifying and mapping areas prone to this type of risk might help apply precise soil meliorative techniques and choose the right crop to grow in these soils. Nowadays, remote sensing techniques can provide valuable information for this purpose, thanks to frequent and low-cost data at different spatial scales.  In this research, the Structure from motion (SfM) technique paired with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) was used to assess the fitness of two different crops: soybean (Glycine max) and maize (Zea mays) in different salt-affected fields, in the Po river delta, North-Eastern Italy. Multi-temporal SfM surveys, using a multi-spectral camera, were conducted in July and August 2022 to map the consequences of high soil salinity (due to significant drought, low discharge, and consequent saltwater intrusion along the reaches of the Po river delta) on the vegetative status of crops through vegetation indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Moreover, to measure the salinity level, geolocated soil samples were taken from each field, and the amount of salt was determined using electrical conductivity using XS Instruments COND 80 electrical conductivity meter (Giorgio Bormac s.r.l, Carpi, Italy) at a sensitivity of 1 µS. Salinity values measured in the field were used to create salinity maps through spatial interpolation in GIS software. The latter allowed the salinity maps to be compared with orthomosaics of NDVI values obtained from SfM surveys. Furthermore, multi-spectral images from open-source satellites made it possible to broaden the scale of investigation in both spatial and temporal terms and to compare different data acquisition techniques. Results show a clear relationship between high-ground salinity measurements and low NDVI values, highlighting how remote sensing techniques could provide helpful information for monitoring the progressive effects of soil salinity on crops. It can be observed that soybean is quite sensitive to salinity, perishing after a long exposure even to medium-low salinity levels (1.5 dS/m – 2 dS/m). At the same time, maize seems more tolerant, with plants also surviving high salinity levels (more than 5 dS/m). Other than indicating salinity stress to which plants are exposed, these maps could also apply salt-reducing techniques, such as flushing, more precisely, thus obtaining optimal results while saving water.Acknowledgments: this study was carried out within the Agritech National Research Center and received funding from the European Union Next-GenerationEU (PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR) – MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.4 – D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022).