Land-Use Mix and Urban Sustainability: Benefits and Indicators Analysis

Sustainable development is one of the biggest challenges for the future of our cities. With this in mind, eco-districts are essentially designed to respond to four challenges that place emphasis mainly on complexity and resilience by acting on aspects such as urban green spaces, mobility, energy, water management and waste management. In this study, the focus is on the concept of mixitè, from both a functional and social perspective, which is seen as a tool to increase the sustainability of urban settlements and bring benefits to the social, environmental and economic system. Despite the growing interest of research into the impacts of an urban land-use mix, there have been few methodological analyses on how to measure the functional mix in an urban environment. Therefore, the goal of this study is to define one or more indicators that are able to represent the diversity of the soil through their application to different areas. It is therefore possible to define a tool that helps to design, evaluate and support decision makers in urban planning choices. Indeed, it is important to understand how the soil mix, and subsequently the social mix, affects sustainability and how planners can take it into account in planning and developing urban policies. In this document: (a) we will highlight the theories and concepts underlying both functional and social mixitè; (b) the benefits it brings both to the city and to the individual; (c) a review of the main methods of measurement of the mixitè; (d) application and a subsequent comparison of the methods identified in case studies represented by three areas related to the establishment of the University of Salerno, in Italy, consisting of its two campuses as well as an adjacent site. The results obtained show that some of the indicators analyzed are more effective at representing the phenomenon of mixitè than others. Therefore, widening research, especially for those concerning the social mixitè, is advisable. Despite this, the results show that proper planning and management of urban devices bring about a series of advantages by increasing the sustainability and urban efficiency of settlements.

Microplastics in Invasive Freshwater Mussels (Dreissena sp.): Spatiotemporal Variation and Occurrence With Chemical Contaminants

Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena spp.) in the Great Lakes of North America are biomonitors for chemical contaminants, but are also exposed to microplastics (<5 mm). Little research has examined in situ microplastic ingestion by dreissenid mussels, or the relationship between microplastics and chemical contaminants. We measured microplastics and chemical contaminants in mussel tissue from Milwaukee Harbor (Lake Michigan, United States) harvested from reference locations and sites influenced by wastewater effluent and urban river discharge. Mussels were deployed in cages in the summer of 2018, retrieved after 30 and 60 days, sorted by size class, and analyzed for microplastics and body burdens of three classes of contaminants: alkylphenols, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and petroleum biomarkers. Microplastics in mussels were higher in the largest mussels at the wastewater-adjacent site after 30 days deployment. However, there was no distinction among sites for microplastics in smaller mussels, and no differences among sites after 60 days of deployment. Microplastics and chemical contaminants in mussels were not correlated. Microplastics have a diversity of intrinsic and extrinsic factors which influence their ingestion, retention, and egestion by mussels, and which vary relative to chemicals. While dreissenid mussels may not serve as plastic pollution biomonitors like they can for chemical contaminants, microplastics in dreissenid mussels are widespread, variable, and have unknown effects on physiology, mussel-mediated ecosystem processes, and lake food webs. These data will inform our understanding of the spatial distribution of microplastics in urban freshwaters, the role of dreissenid mussels in plastic budgets, and models for the fate of plastic pollution.

A case report of fulminant primary streptococcal pericarditis

Background Bacterial pericarditis is a rare, rapidly progressive, and highly fatal infection, even with drainage and antibiotics. Gram-positive cocci, specifically Streptococcus pneumoniae, have been the most common cause of bacterial pericarditis from either haematogenous dissemination, or spread from another adjacent site of infection. Following the introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s and more recently the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the incidence has drastically decreased. Case summary A previously healthy young male was diagnosed with acute pericarditis with no signs of haemodynamic compromise on initial presentation. Several hours later, he became unstable suffering from cardiac tamponade and septic shock. Despite urgent pericardiocentesis and drainage of purulent fluid, culture positive for streptococcus pneumoniae, multi-organ failure was eventually fatal. Discussion We describe a rare case of primary S. pneumoniae purulent pericarditis leading to tamponade, septic shock, and death. Due to the high mortality rate of purulent pericarditis, a high index of suspicion is needed in order to initiate appropriate therapy with antibiotics and drainage.

Comparison of the results of numerical calculations using modern soil models (Hardening Soil, Hardening Soil Small and Generalized Hardening Soil) with the geotechnical monitoring results

The use of modern soil models is impossible without carrying out a full range of laboratory tests required to determine the initial soil parameters and their further verification. The correctness of these aspects has a significant impact on the final result of numerical modeling. This paper gives a brief overview of the investigated soil models, presents the results of their verification using the geology of St. Petersburg, and compares the results of their verification on the example of the geology of St. Petersburg. Furthermore, the calculation results are compared using verified soil models (Hardening Soil, Hardening Soil Small and Generalized Hardening Soil) and unverified soil models (Hardening Soil) with geotechnical monitoring data. As an example, the authors describe a method intended for modeling the upheaval of the base of buildings of the surrounding development when using Fundex bored piles on an adjacent site.

THE LATER PREHISTORY OF THE SHAHRIZOR PLAIN, KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ: FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS AT GURGA CHIYA AND TEPE MARANI

The Shahrizor Prehistory Project has targeted prehistoric levels of the Late Ubaid and Late Chalcolithic 4 (LC4; Late Middle Uruk) periods at Gurga Chiya (Shahrizor, Kurdistan region of northern Iraq), along with the Halaf period at the adjacent site of Tepe Marani. Excavations at the latter have produced new dietary and environmental data for the sixth millennium B.C. in the region, while at Gurga Chiya part of a burned Late Ubaid tripartite house was excavated. This has yielded a promising archaeobotanical assemblage and established a benchmark ceramic assemblage for the Shahrizor Plain, which is closely comparable to material known from Tell Madhhur in the Hamrin valley. The related series of radiocarbon dates gives significant new insights into the divergent timing of the Late Ubaid and early LC in northern and southern Mesopotamia. In the following occupation horizon, a ceramic assemblage closely aligned to the southern Middle Uruk indicates convergence of material culture with central and southern Iraq as early as the LC4 period. Combined with data for the appearance of Early Uruk elements at sites in the adjacent Qara Dagh region, this hints at long-term co-development of material culture during the fourth millennium B.C. in southeastern Iraqi Kurdistan and central and southern Iraq, potentially questioning the model of expansion or colonialism from the south.

Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Communities Differ Between a Game Preserve and Nearby Natural Areas in Northern Florida

Culicoides Latreille biting midges are small hematophagous flies that feed on a variety of vertebrate animals. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a farmed species in the United States, can occur at high densities on farms. This elevated density of available hosts may result in greater abundance of midges and greater potential for disease transmission on farms than natural ecosystems. This research aimed to determine whether Culicoides abundance varied between a game preserve in Gadsden County, Florida, a site bordering the preserve (‘adjacent’), a site 3.5 km away (‘moderate’), and a site 13 km away (‘distant’). CDC light traps were set one night per week at the preserve, adjacent site, and moderate site in 2016 and at all four sites in 2017. Total abundance was greatest at the preserve and second greatest at the adjacent site both years. Average abundance of female Culicoides stellifer (Coquillett) was an order of magnitude greater on the preserve (x¯=24.59 in 2016, 17.95 in 2017) than at any other site (x¯≤1.68 in 2016, x¯≤1.03 in 2017), whereas the greatest average abundance of Culicoides venustus Hoffman was found at the adjacent site (x¯=5.15 in 2016, x¯=1.92 in 2017). Distance from the preserve significantly affected overall average abundance for both species (P < 0.001), although pairwise significance varied. Species diversity was lowest on the preserve and highest at the moderate site both years. These data suggest that high densities of animals may increase transmission potential on high fence preserves and in adjacent areas by contributing to high densities of vector species.

P165 A pilot study of oxygenation and perfusion in systemic sclerosis-related digital ulcers

Background Up to 50% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) will develop digital (finger/toe) ulcers (DU). DUs can be chronic and difficult to treat and have a huge effect on patients’ quality of life and hand function. DUs are difficult to measure and to define, which is a problem in terms of outcome measures for clinical trials. Whilst relatively little is known about the pathophysiology of SSc-related DU, it has been shown recently that both fingertip and extensor surface ulcers are ischaemic. The objective of this study was to use non-invasive imaging techniques to gain further insight (in a pilot study) into the pathophysiology (including level of oxygenation) of SSc-related finger ulcers. The hypothesis was that digital ulcers are hypoxic as well as ischaemic. Methods Nine patients with SSc-related DU (1 male, 8 female, median age 62 [IQR 60 to 69] years, onset of first non-Raynaud’s feature 17 [12 to 22] years, duration of Raynaud’s 18 [12 to 27] years) underwent imaging of DU. Measurements of oxygenation (multispectral imaging), perfusion (laser speckle imaging, laser Doppler imaging [LDI], and thermography), and vessel size (LDI) were performed at the site of ulceration to include skin from an adjacent (unaffected) site. Results Eight fingertip DUs and one extensor DU were imaged; one DU from each patient. Oxygenation was decreased in the ulcer vs. adjacent site but was not statistically significant, p = 0.083 [0.035 to 0.193] vs. 0.145 [0.002 to 0.254]. Perfusion as measured by laser speckle and LDI and showed significant decreases at the ulcer site as compared to the adjacent site: laser speckle, 170 [104 to 210] vs. 443 [234 to 790] PU, p < 0.01; LDI, ulcer median 215 [IQR 97 to 507] vs. adjacent 344 [222 to 1071] arbitrary perfusion units (PU), p < 0.05;. Thermal imaging did not identify differences in perfusion, 31.9 [28.2 to 33.2] vs.31.9 [28.3 to 33.2]oC, non-significant. The mean lesion area was 3.4 [3.25 to 4.95] cm2. Oxygenation was associated with LDI perfusion (r = 0.83, p < 0.01). Conclusion Supporting our hypothesis, oxygenation was reduced at the ulcer site (although not significantly; however, we acknowledge that the number of ulcers studies was small). Laser speckle and LDI were both sensitive to differences in perfusion between the ulcer site and the adjacent area. That thermography was not, may be due to its lower resolution and also to the fact that thermal imaging obtains its signal from deeper within the tissue as well as more superficially; deeper tissue is likely unaffected. Oxygenation showed a strong relationship to perfusion as measured by LDI, indicating that the ulcers imaged were both hypoxic and ischaemic. As well as providing more insight into pathogenesis, measuring ulcer oxygenation and perfusion may provide a biomarker of ulcer healing. Disclosures J.B. Manning None. E. Marjanovic None. T.L. Moore None. G. Dinsdale None. S. Wilkinson None. M.R. Dickinson None. A.L. Herrick None. A.K. Murray None.

Effects of unregulated visitor access on chick fledging mass and survival in yellow-eyed penguins

Context Wildlife tourism is expanding and can detrimentally affect taxa such as penguins, if not managed carefully. The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is an endangered species, with mainland populations projected to decline to extinction in the next 40 years, despite conservation interventions. Their nesting sites are exposed to increasing numbers of human visitors, which contributes to reduced reproductive success. AimsWe evaluated the effectiveness of a breeding colony (Boulder Beach) closure to the public, which was implemented to reduce visitor disturbance. MethodsWe compared reproductive success 5 years before and 5 years during the closure with success at an adjacent site (Sandfly Bay) that experiences high human disturbance, over the same time periods. Key resultsBeach closure did not result in an increase in chick mass or survival at Boulder Beach; however, trends at adjacent Sandfly Bay suggested that, without the closure, chick survival at Boulder Beach would likely have declined. Chick survival decreased at Sandfly Bay across the two 5-year periods, whereas chick survival at Boulder Beach did not decline, but remained constant during the closure years. ConclusionsThe beach closure was beneficial because it appeared to buffer environmental factors, so that mean chick survival remained constant rather than declining. Implications Beach closures might be difficult to implement because of public expectations regarding free access to coastal land in New Zealand, but they should be considered at sites where increasing numbers of visitors are likely to have detrimental impacts on wildlife. Without urgent action, these culturally important animals will likely be extinct on mainland New Zealand within the next few decades. Beach closures may represent an effective management measure to increase population resilience by decreasing the detrimental impacts of visitors on breeding success.

Mutational spectrum of tobacco associated oral squamous carcinoma and its therapeutic significance

Oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) is a common malignancy attributed to use of chewing smokeless tobacco and smoking. Most of the targeted strategies are based on EGFR expression and mutation; however, none of them has shown significant improvement in survival and response rates. We carried out this study to evaluate mutational profile of tobacco associated oral carcinoma with special emphasis on EGFR and its downstream events. Patients and methods A total of 46 histologically proven cases were recruited between January 2017 and January 2019. Apart from detailed clinical and histological studies, the paraffin-embedded tissue was submitted for expression of 50 genes using Next Generation Sequencing using Ion Ampliseq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2. Results The mean age of patients was 47.8 ± 10.9 years. Majority had tumors on buccal mucosa (24) and tongue (13). Nineteen of these tumors were larger than 4 cm, and 5 had adjacent site involvement. Thirty one were node positive. TP53 mutations were commonest seen in 19 followed by CDKN2A in 11, HRAS in 8, PIK3CA in 3, SMARCB1 in 2, and KIT, EGFR, BRAF, STK11, ABL1, RB1 in one case each. Concomitant TP53 mutation was identified with other mutations like CDKN2A, HRAS, KIT, PIK3CA, STK11, SMARCB1, ABL1, and RB1 making tobacco-associated OSCC as a heterogeneous mutational tumor with multiple events. A patient with TP53 mutations has poor disease free survival (47.4 vs 63% p = 0.17); however, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion The study shows a heterogeneous mutational spectrum with multiple mutational events in OSCC. The low EGFR mutation rates and higher mutations in EGFR downstream pathways including that in TP53 and HRAS suggest that anti EGFR strategies may not succeed in these tumors and newer agents and therapeutic combinations need to be tried.