A mycobacterial disease is associated with the silent mass mortality of the pen shell Pinna nobilis along the Tyrrhenian coastline of Italy.

Disease is an increasing threat for marine bivalves worldwide. Recently, a mass mortality event (MME) impacting the bivalve Pinna nobilis was detected across a wide geographical area of the Spanish Mediterranean Sea and linked to a haplosporidian parasite. In 2017-2018, mass mortality events affecting the pen shell Pinna nobilis were recorded in two different regions of Italy, Campania and Sicily, in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Histopathological and molecular examinations of specimens showed the presence of Haplosporidium sp. in only one specimen in one area. Conversely, in all of the surveyed moribund animals, strong inflammatory lesions at the level of connective tissue surrounding the digestive system and gonads and linked to the presence of intracellular Zhiel-Neelsen-positive bacteria were observed. Molecular analysis of all of the diseased specimens (13) confirmed the presence of a Mycobacterium. Blast analysis of the sequences from all of the areas revealed that they were grouped together with the human mycobacterium M. sherrisii close to the group including M. shigaense, M. lentiflavum and M. simiae. Based on pathological and molecular findings, it is proposed that a mycobacterial disease is associated with the mortality episodes of Pinna nobilis, indicating that, at this time, Haplosporidium sp. is not responsible for these events in Campanian and Sicilian waters.

[Modelling metallic bars in an orthopaedic laboratory: postural and biomechanical analysis]. / Analisi posturale e biomeccanica della modellazione di barre metalliche in un'officina ortopedica.

Aim of this work is to assess, with an objective technique (i.e. surface electromyography), the upper limb biomechanical load in workers specialized in manufacturing of orthopedic prostheses. We considered two different working configurations (workstation height at 105 and 110 cm) and three different materials to be modeled (aluminum, steel and titanium). Our results showed significant differences between aluminum/steel and titanium bars. As regards the working configurations, we found differences in the muscle activation patterns between the two heights, with an increased exertion of the shoulder muscles at 110 cm with respect to 105.

[The prevention in Italian workers' compensation authority protection: back to the future]. / La prevenzione nella tutela INAIL: un ritorno al futuro.

Workers'protection is now more than ever an integrated protection system-as a result also of recent innovative provisions of law-ranging from prevention on the workplace to health and economic benefits, medical treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration in the social and working life of victims of physical damage consequent to a work related accident or professional disease. With a view to contributing to the reduction of accidents, INAIL has implemented a number of important tools to continually monitor employment and accident trends, it provides small and medium size enterprises with training and advice in the field of prevention and funds companies that decide to invest in the improvement of safety. Now more than ever INAIL after the law May 2010, n. 78 is the Italian prevention agency.

[Synergy retween D.P.R. 1124/65 and D.Lgs 81/2008: current events and perspectives]. / La sinergia tra il D.P.R. 1124/65 ed il D.Lgs 81/2008: attualità e prospettive.

Already by the enactment of D.P.R. 1124/65 Legislator has, de iure e de facto, carried out an interaction between INAIL and the Competent Doctor (once Factory Doctor). By the enactment of the new Consolidated Act about Safety, the synergy between D.P.R. 1124/65 and D.Lgs. 81/2008 and, consequently, between INAIL doctor and Competent Doctor has further been enhanced, laying the essential requirements, according to the AA.s for a greater and greater collaboration between the two professional figures, with the objective of a more and more caring guardianship of the worker's health in the occupational field.

[Professional diseases in the handicraft's workers 2002-2000]. / Malattie professionali nell'artigianato 2002-2006.

The authors have examined the data supplied from the Actuarial Advising Statistics of the INAIL about occupational diseases in the handicraft's workers denounced and recognized in the period 2002 -2006. The data have been analysed by sex, age, nature and site of lesion.

[Occupational diseases in agricultural workers 2002-2006]. / Malattie professionali in agricoltura 2002-2006.

The authors have examined the data of the occupational diseases in agriculture in the period 2002-2006; such data evidence as in these years there has been an increase of the number of the denunciations of occupational diseases. The increase is referred to new emergent diseases" as occupational the syndrome of the carpal tunnel and the tendinitises. The acknowledgment of new occupational diseases must be accompanied also by an effective promotion of the security of workers.

[Accidents at work in agriculture workers in the period 2002-2006]. / Infortuni in agricoltura nel quinquennio 2002-2006.

The authors consider the accidents happened in agricultural environment in the period from 2002 to 2006. The data of the Inail evidence a decrease of the denounced events, but with a reduction of the occupied workers. Such data make demonstrate that not it there has not been an improvement. For this reason it's necessary put in action informative and formative campaigns about the culture of the prevention of agricultural accidents.

[Accidents at work in handicraft workers in the period 2002-2006]. / Infortuni in artigianato nel quinquennio 2002-2006.

The authors consider the phenomenon of the accidents at work in the handicraft workers in the last period; the data examined demonstrate that in this work environment there has not been an evident decrement of the cases in comparison to the past. It's however always necessary to promote and improve the preventional measures in these particular job places.

[Nocturnal accidents in quinquennium 2002-2006]. / Infortuni notturni nel quinquennio 2002-2006.

The incidence of nocturnal work accidents were examined using the data bank of Italian Workers Compensation Authority. Analysis carried out leads us to conclude that the nocturnal accidents are not more frequent than the total events. Finally nocturnal events are more dangerous and the frequency of fatal accidents in the night is higher if it is compared to that of diurnal period.

Patterns of sound change in children with phonological disorders.

This paper presents longitudinal data that provide insight into the phonological learning of five children. These children were superficially similar in that all presented with errors affecting production of [s]; however, it will be argued that each child possessed a phonological system that was unique in certain ways. Production of [s]was established with each participant using a motoric training approach, and generalization was assessed over a 3-4-month period using a 50-item probe. Once treatment was initiated, changes in the production of [s]and in other properties of the phonological systems were observed. Some of these changes illustrated apparent learning strategies that were child-specific, whereas other changes were common to all of these children and may, in fact, be universal in nature.

Facilitating [s] production in young children: an experimental evaluation of motoric and conceptual treatment approaches.

Eighteen phonologically disordered children were assigned to one of two experimental treatment programmes. Half of the children received a motoric treatment, which focused on establishing sound production in isolation, words, and phrases. The remaining children received a conceptual treatment, which sought to establish the phonemic nature of /s/ without providing motor practice. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by analysing [s] production during administration of a generalization probe. The motoric treatment was more effective overall; although some subjects, whose phonetic inventory included [s] prior to treatment, generalized correct production following the introduction of the conceptual treatment.

Stimulability: a useful clinical tool.

Although difficult to define, stimulability is an easily measured skill that can provide valuable information for clinicians treating children with phonological disorders. In this article, we review changing trends in the definition of stimulability, standardized and nonstandardized approaches to its measurement, and clinical implications of stimulability for prognosis and treatment plan development as they have evolved over a 40-year period. Clinical application of stimulability information in caseload management and intervention is emphasized.

Enhancing stimulability: a treatment program.

Recent research on stimulability and generalization suggests that treatment of nonstimulable sounds results in maximum treatment gains (Powell, Elbert, & Dinnsen, 1991). It has also been suggested, however, that nonstimulable sounds are more difficult to teach, especially to young children with very small phonetic inventories. In this article, we describe a treatment program designed to increase the size of the phonetic inventory by "teaching" stimulability. Application of the treatment approach is demonstrated in a case study.