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Nov 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-3065
The importance of horticulture around the large cities, called green belt (GB), or proximity food production area is related to its contribution to the provision of food as well as its role on social, cultural and ecological aspects. Geoscience and Remote sensing (GRS) are tools that should aid in gathering and updating the information to develop science-based management plans of this areas. Recently, the improvement in terms of spatial, temporal and radiometric resolutions has changed the performance and the approach to the horticulture remote sensing. In this work, we make a brief review on the literature exploring the use of GRS techniques in horticulture, and future trends in order to exploit the available techniques for efficient crop management in the way to improve territorial planning and management. Specifically we found a lack of academic production in this area. In addition we examine the importance of this landscape areas from different points of view (food security, health, ecology, etc.). A systematic revision of published studies on remote sensing on horticulture including different platforms, sensors and methodologies are briefly presented. Finally some aspect related with future trends are discussed.
Jan 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5526.jmid-17-1891
Background Conventional tools for medical education are burdened by many drawbacks. Textbooks become rapidly outdated, meeting attendance is expensive, and results reported in journals are not easily suitable for clinical practice. Uptodate and Endotext are excellent online tools, but they have been developed for a clinical context far different from that of our country. Methodology Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AME) charged a task force aiming to develop an educational tool specifically tailored for Italian clinical endocrinologists. Required characteristics were clinical approach, modularity, continuous updating, full online availability (even by mobile devices), open sections and sections for registered members only, opportunity for individualization, indexing and search engine to facilitate browsing. Starting from an open-source platform, Joomla, several changes were implemented. Results Three editors, 2 central editorial secretaries, 30 section coordinators and over 350 authors have been involved in the writing of 21 different sections covering all fields of endocrine and metabolic diseases. The access to Endowiki is free for AME members and is fully open in sections for patients. All readers are requested to serve as referee, pointing to mistakes and need for revision. The system is attended daily by a mean of 250 individuals. Conclusions Endowiki stands alone as an opportunity for medical education in Italy. The big challenges will be the continuous updating and the link to the national certified system for CME.
Aug 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4496.jtc-16-1129
Objective: Radiation exposure to the general public and patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures is of great concern, especially to the medical community. Revision of Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules several years ago yield new recommendations for the administration of therapeutic doses of 131-Iodine that included the release criteria. The guidelines for ambulatory treatment included patient education and radiation safety measures to minimize exposure and contamination. Our goal in this study was to evaluate patient compliance with the radiation safety instruction protocols given to them before the therapeutic dose and monitor radiation levels in different house areas at different times after an ablation therapy of 3700MBq or more. Method: Patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer being evaluated for ablation therapy with 131-Iodine were invited to participate. A thorough set of instructions on radiation protection were given verbally and in writing. Patient house was assessed with a Geiger Muller detector at 24 and 72 hours or above to obtain direct radiation levels in several areas. Patient radiation levels were also monitored. Results: A total of 12 patients have been included, 11 females and 1 male, median age was 53 years. Tumor histology was 10 papillary, 2 papillary-follicular variant and 1 follicular carcinoma; 92% of the cases were T1, N0, M0. Home location was urban in 77% and rural in 33% of the patients; 67% of the patients had an educational level between 9-12 grade. Radioiodine doses range from 3441-5994MBq. None of the patients had a relatives or companion in the house. Mean patient exposure 24 hours after the dose at 1 meter was 12mrem/hr, 0.120mSv/h; this represented a retained dose of 2181MBq (59mCi). Only one patient (T1, Nx, M1) had an exposure rate at 1 meter of 100mrem/hr (1mSv/hr) at 24 hours. At 72 hours the exposure changed to 4mrem/hr, 0.040mSv/hr, retained dose of 725.2MBq (19.6mCi). Higher exposure rates in the house were at 24 hours in the bed and pillows (7mrem/hr), kitchen trash (13mrem/hr) and bathroom sink (8mrem/hr). The exposure rates at the toilet and shower were similar (3-4mrem/hr). There was a significant decreased in the exposure rate at 72 hours in all house areas. Patients with the higher exposure rates were those with metastatic disease, and small living facilities. Patients living in rural or urban location had no difference in the exposure rate. The educational levels were not related either to the exposure rate. Conclusion: Patient compliance with radiation protection instructions and Nuclear Regulatory Commission release criteria was good. Radiation exposure levels in the house areas are safe. Special instructions must be design to minimize contamination in the bathroom and kitchen Caution is recommended in the release of patients with extensive metastatic disease and doses of 5920MBq or more.