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The use of artificial aggregates such as expanded clay in the production of asphalt concrete makes it possible to reduce both natural aggregate extraction and the use of nonrenewable raw resources, greatly benefiting the environment. Moreover, the expanded clay production process allows nondangerous waste materials to be reclaimed and thereby avoids the necessity to dispose of them in a landfill or dump–this benefits the environment and also offers economic advantages. This paper reports on the results of laboratory and in situ tests to evaluate the feasibility and advantages of using expanded clay in producing asphalt mixes for use in urban areas to reduce traffic noise. Some experimental low-noise asphalt surfaces were laid, with 15% of expanded clay by weight, and mechanical as well as performance properties were then evaluated. The mechanical characteristics, friction, and acoustic performance, in contrast to results with traditional asphalt surfaces, demonstrated the considerable benefits of using expanded clay in asphalt mixes for surface layers. In particular, the results of friction increase and noise-spectrum reduction are of interest.

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A case of acute transverse myelopathy with anaesthesia and flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs, following intragluteal penicillin injection, is reported. This accident was probably due to a mistaken intra-arterial injection of the drug with retrograde progression through branches of the internal iliac artery up to the spinal cord. The treatment of such events in all the cases reported by the literature has been disappointing. Therefore, particular precautions must be taken in case of intramuscular penicillin injection, according to the present and the previous cases described, in order to avoid such accidents.

This paper presents key findings of a research project which is entrusted with setting up guidelines for monitoring and evaluation of pavement performance requirements with the aim of improving durability and both road safety and environmental sustainability.\ud \ud The study has investigated some techniques for monitoring structural and surface characteristics of asphalt pavements, such as Ground Penetrating Radar, Falling Weight Deflectometer, Laser Profilometer, Skiddometer, and has addressed problems arising from the use of these techniques; the paper describes some measures needed to overwhelm them and for optimizing data collection procedures. In order to enhance the evaluation of asphalt pavements, the study has focused on data analysis and interpretation methodologies; it proposes refinements to the existing procedures for both data processing and interpretation