Automatic Stones Classification through a CNN-Based Approach.

This paper presents an automatic recognition system for classifying stones belonging to different Calabrian quarries (Southern Italy). The tool for stone recognition has been developed in the SILPI project (acronym of "Sistema per l'Identificazione di Lapidei Per Immagini"), financed by POR Calabria FESR-FSE 2014-2020. Our study is based on the Convolutional Neural Network (CNNs) that is used in literature for many different tasks such as speech recognition, neural language processing, bioinformatics, image classification and much more. In particular, we propose a two-stage hybrid approach based on the use of a model of Deep Learning (DL), in our case the CNN, in the first stage and a model of Machine Learning (ML) in the second one. In this work, we discuss a possible solution to stones classification which uses a CNN for the feature extraction phase and the Softmax or Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), Random Forest (RF) and Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB) ML techniques in order to perform the classification phase basing our study on the approach called Transfer Learning (TL). We show the image acquisition process in order to collect adequate information for creating an opportune database of the stone typologies present in the Calabrian quarries, also performing the identification of quarries in the considered region. Finally, we show a comparison of different DL and ML combinations in our Two-Stage Hybrid Model solution.

Distinguishing asbestos cement from fiber-reinforced cement through portable µ-Raman spectroscopy and portable X-ray fluorescence.

It is now widely acknowledged that asbestos can adversely affect human health; accordingly, in recent decades, fiber-reinforced cement (FRC) has been used as a substitute for asbestos cement (AC). This manuscript focuses on portable micro-Raman spectroscopy coupled with portable microscopy (p-µR) and portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) as a means to identify chrysotile fibers in AC (Eternit) and fibers present in the asbestos-free FRC used as a substitute. Our results show that the simultaneous use of portable devices such as p-µR and p-XRF may be useful in quickly identifying fibrous chrysotile asbestos in Eternit, as well as polyvinyl fibers in new material FRC used as substitutes for Eternit. Chrysotile shows bands in the 800-200 cm-1 range, whereas polyvinyl alcohol fibers show bands in the 3000-800 cm-1 range. The p-XRF data on the two types of cement could possibly be used as a chemical fingerprint for the two different materials. Given that exposure to asbestos is a serious health hazard, its rapid and reliable detection in situ on residential buildings is important both for citizens and for administrative bodies charged with safeguarding public health. We believe that our study provides valuable insight into the potential use of portable devices for identifying asbestos and asbestos-free materials.

Functional carbon nanotubes for high-quality charge transfer and moisture regulation through membranes: structural and functional insights.

Functional single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are assembled onto porous supports by using layer-by-layer (LBL) approaches. Directed nano-assembly of nanotubes is identified as a crucial factor for controlling the combined functions of hybrid-composite membranes, including charge and moisture transport. In both the cases, donor-acceptor interactions are indicated to be responsible for the rearrangement of nanotubes inside the LBL multilayer and their related properties. Aggregation and stratification of the carbon nanotubes along with the availability of selective-site interactions are complementarily investigated by using SEM, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, while high electrical charge and water vapor transfer are achievable, provided that a large number of connections and competitive interactions are allowed. Ohmic behavior is observed for all types of carbon nanotubes, even if better-quality charge transfer pathways are obtained with carboxylated conductive filaments. Likewise, assisted moisture regulation is succeeded when using functional filaments with the capability to establish competitive H-donor-acceptor interactions with water.

[The status of the art of scientific articles in Italy between 2003 -2009: an analysis of articles published by nursing Italian journals]. / La produzione scientifica italiana attaverso un'analisi degli articoli pubblicati sulle riviste infermieristiche: 2003-2009.

This study investigates  the number of  articles published by Italian nursing journals by analyzing five Italian journals between 2003 and 2009. This is the third part of a study started  in 1978,  two articles were already published in 2005. The work is aimed at monitoring the number of nursing articles published. The articles were cataloged according to predefined criteria with the main aim to verify the status of the progress of research and theoretical development among Italian nurses. Results show that, although there is an increase in publications which apply research methods, these are still below the international trend and that, at national level, nurses prefer  topics such as care plans, regulations and organization of work rather than research or scientific evidence. On the one hand there is a raise on Italian nurses of interest in wider topic in order to be closer to the international debate, on the other hand there is a lack of adequate tools to improve knowledge and specific investments in research. As result of this there is a strong limitation in the knowledge growth of Italian nurses together with a lack of participation among and for different generations of nurses. In addition to the above it has been enucleated a scarcity within the literature analyzed of development of theoretical models, theories and concepts. Conversely theoretical models, theories and concepts are important pillars of scientific knowledge and they have a strong role in professional development, moreover these are necessary in order to set and improve nursing and nurses image nowadays far from the exclusive applied science.

Synthesis of Ni-Doped Tremolite Fibers to Help Clarify the Aetiology of the Cytotoxic Outcome of Asbestos.

Asbestos fibers act as complex crystal-chemical reservoirs susceptible of releasing potentially toxic elements (such as ions impurities) into the lung cellular environment during permanency and dissolution. To comprehend the exact pathological mechanisms that are triggered upon inhalation of asbestos fibers, in vitro studies on possible interactions between the mineral and the biological system have been carried out mostly by using natural asbestos. However, this latter comprises intrinsic impurities such as Fe2+/Fe3+ and Ni2+ ions, and other eventual traces of metallic pathogens. Furthermore, often, natural asbestos is characterized by the co-presence of several mineral phases, fiber dimensions of which are randomly distributed in width and in length. For these reasons, it is albeit challenging to precisely identify toxicity factors and to define the accurate role of each factor in the overall pathogenesis of asbestos. In this regard, the availability of synthetic asbestos fibers with accurate chemical composition and specific dimensions for in vitro screening tests would represent the perfect tool to correlate asbestos toxicity to its chemico-physical features. Herein, to palliate such drawbacks of natural asbestos, well-defined Ni-doped tremolite fibers were chemically synthesized in order to offer biologists adequate samples for testing the specific role of Ni2+ in asbestos toxicity. The experimental conditions (temperature, pressure, reaction time and water amount) were optimized to produce batches of asbestos fibers of the tremolite phase, with uniformly distributed shape and dimensions and a controlled content of Ni2+ metal ions.

Spectroscopic, microchemical and petrographic analyses of plasters from ancient buildings in Lamezia Terme (Calabria, Southern Italy).

This work shows the results of the spectroscopic, microchemical and petrographic study carried out on six plasters coming from three important residential buildings of the 18th century, located in Lamezia Terme (Catanzaro, Southern Italy). To study the provenance of the raw materials used to make the plasters, one sample of limestone and two samples of sand were also collected from the quarries near Lamezia Terme and compared with the historical plasters. Samples were studied by polarized optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman spectroscopy. The results of these analyses allowed to determine the mineralogical, petrographical and chemical characteristics of the plasters, identify the pigments used for their coloration and provide useful information about the building techniques, the raw materials employed and the production technology of plasters during the 18th century in Lamezia Terme. SEM-EDS microanalysis also revealed the presence of gold and silver on the surface of two samples.