University of Udine
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Material culture and human landscape in Lebanon during the Islamic period: Baalbek and the Beqaa Valley
No full textDuring the Islamic period, Baalbek was an important urban centre, located on a major
road connecting the Northern to the Southern regions of Bilad al-Sham, and situated
within the rich and flourishing environment of the Beqaa Valley.1 Besides the focus
on the classical past of the city of Baalbek, more recent archaeological studies have
been devoted to the history of the site during the Islamic period, focusing on urban
development, numismatic evidence, and ceramic assemblage. Moreover, a newly-risen
attention to the archaeological landscape of the whole Beqaa Valley seeks to understand
the settlement history of the region in a larger chronological perspective.
This paper discusses the preliminary picture emerging from the available archaeological
documentation and focuses in particular on data from the study of ceramic
assemblages found in different areas of the city of Baalbek. It aims to highlight the role
of this site in the extremely rich region of the Beqaa Valley during the Islamic period,
with a particular focus on the nature of its occupation during the Middle Islamic period
(11th-15th century). The paper will present the achieved results of the various field
works and reconsider the available literature, but it will also discuss the limits of the
archaeological research until now and will address the expected future directions of
investigation for a better understanding of the human settlement of this region during
the entire Islamic period
2-generated axial algebras of Monster type
Get PDFAbstract. We provide the basic setup for the project, initiated by Felix
Rehren, aiming at classifying all 2-generated axial algebras of Monster type
(α, β) over a field F. Using this, we first show that every such algebra has
dimension at most 8, except for the case (α, β) = (2,1/2), where the Highwater
algebra provides examples of dimension n, for all n ∈ N∪{∞}. We then classify
all 2-generated axial algebras of Monster type (α, β) over Q(α, β), for α and β
algebraically independent over Q. Finally, we generalise the Norton-Sakuma
Theorem to every primitive 2-generated axial algebra of Monster type (1/4, 1/32)
over a field of characteristic zero, dropping the hypothesis on the existence of
a Frobenius form
Trends of N2O production during decentralized wastewater treatment: A critical review
No full textNitrous oxide (N2O) emissions have become a significant concern due to their potential high contribution to the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants. While their production pathways in centralized systems have been already deeply investigated, an analysis of N2O production trends from decentralized wastewater treatment plants, with a detailed description of the operating conditions affecting N2O generation in each technology, is missing. In this work, research on N2O emission from several decentralized technologies, including septic tanks and leach fields, soil infiltration systems, waste stabilization ponds, onsite activated sludge systems, Johkasou systems, onsite advanced technologies and constructed wetlands is reviewed. N2O emissions were found to depend on operating parameters, among which aeration regime, light exposure, influent carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, environmental temperature, nitrite concentration, plant species, and pH. It was not always possible to clearly understand the influence of a specific parameter on N2O emissions, given the complexity of the producing pathways, the temporal and spatial N2O variability, and the limited data. Research gaps, such as the lack of monitoring nitrification and denitrification intermediates, and the lack of long-term N2O monitoring campaigns, have also been identified. Considering the widespread diffusion of decentralized wastewater technologies and their need to meet more stringent requirements on sanitation, it will be more and more important in the future to understand their specific contribution to wastewater treatment carbon footprint. Standardized monitoring techniques, established estimation methods for emission factors, and a wider application of mathematical models could help in achieving a greater understanding of the complex N2O generation pathways
Letizia Cimitan, Dialogo con suor Angela: una pagina dimenticata dell'infanzia in Carnia. Udine, Forum, 2021
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Delayed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment post macular surgery - a multicentric study
No full textPurpose: To report the anatomic and visual outcomes of eyes developing delayed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) post macular surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicentric study including eyes undergoing RRD repair at least 3 months after macular surgery for either full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) or epiretinal membrane (ERM). Anatomic and functional assessment, i.e., pre- and post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), indications and details of macular and RRD surgery, time interval from macular surgery to RRD, intraocular tamponade, location, extent of RRD, and nature of retinal break was performed. Results: Sixteen out of 2906 eyes (0.55%) undergoing macular surgery developed RRD after 8.4 ± 5.8 months (mean±SD). Intra-operative peripheral retina evaluation showed missed/de-novo break (11 eyes; 68.75%), no identifiable break i.e., probable microbreak (2 eyes; 12.5%), giant retinal tear (2 eyes; 12.5%), and retinoschisis related break (1 eye; 6.25%). Anatomical success i.e., attached retina after one surgery was seen in 14 eyes (87.5%). BCVA worsened from 0.6±0.3 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/80) at baseline to 0.9±0.8 logMAR (20/160) through the last visit (p<0.001). Conclusion: RRD post-macular surgery occurs predominantly via missed/de-novo retinal breaks. A significant percentage (50%) of eyes showed worse visual acuity compared to baseline despite successful retinal reattachment
Constraint on the total width of the Higgs boson from Higgs boson and four-top-quark measurements in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
Get PDFThis Letter presents a constraint on the total width of the Higgs boson (ΓH) using a combined measurement of on-shell Higgs boson production and the production of four top quarks, which involves contributions from off-shell Higgs boson-mediated processes. This method relies on the assumption that the tree-level Higgs-top Yukawa coupling strength is the same for on-shell and off-shell Higgs boson production processes, thereby avoiding any assumptions about the relationship between on-shell and off-shell gluon fusion Higgs production rates, which were central to previous measurements. The result is based on up to 140 fb−1 of proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed (expected) 95% confidence level upper limit on ΓH is 450 MeV (75 MeV). Additionally, considering the constraint on the Higgs-top Yukawa coupling from loop-induced Higgs boson production and decay processes further yields an observed (expected) upper limit of 160 MeV (55 MeV)
Zinc Sensing with a Pyridine-Based Lanthanide Contrast Agent: Structural Analysis in Aqueous Solution
Get PDFZinc is an important physiological cation, and its misregulation is implicated in various diseases. It is therefore important to be able to image zinc by non-invasive methods such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In this work, we have successfully synthesized a novel Gd3+-based complex specifically for Zn2+ sensing by MRI. Using a combination of NMR, luminescence, potentiometric, and relaxivity experiments, completed with DFT calculations, we demonstrate that incorporating a short linker between the Zn2+ sensing unit and the Gd3+ complex leads to unique behavior of the system in the absence of Zn2+. A significant increase in efficacy of the system is observed upon Zn2+ binding, and importantly, the complex is highly selective for Zn2+ relative to other physiological cations. A comprehensive structural study reliably determines the microscopic parameters at the origin of the Zn2+ response, primarily an increase in the number of water molecules directly coordinated to Gd3+ upon Zn2+ binding. Crucially, the system maintains a strong response to Zn2+ binding in the presence of Human Serum Albumin, highlighting its potential for biological applications
Changes and continuities in undergraduate nursing education during and after COVID-19: a European comparative study from the perspective of health science
Get PDFBackground: The education of healthcare professionals, including nurses, represents a critical intersection with health systems science (HSS), which is often considered the third pillar of healthcare education alongside basic and clinical sciences. Despite the amount of research on nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a gap in analysis from an HSS perspective. Methods: A Comparative Education Approach involving undergraduate nursing programs (UNPs) across Europe, with longitudinal data collection from 2002 to 2023. The aim of the study was threefold: (a) to summarize the overall changes in UNPs during the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) to identify the changes retained in the post-pandemic era; and (c) to identify the impact of the pandemic on nursing education as perceived by nurse educators across nine European countries. Results: This study compares the changes in nursing education in European countries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using a qualitative approach with data from nine universities. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on education provision. During the first wave, government restrictions forced a complete shift to online learning for theory classes, clinical training and laboratories. In subsequent waves, a hybrid format was chosen that combined online and face-to-face sessions. A major challenge was the placement of nursing students alongside general university students. This approach neglected their need for practical clinical training, which is crucial for their future careers. To compensate for the lack of clinical hours, various alternative teaching methods were introduced. Students were also offered the opportunity to volunteer in large-scale public health initiatives such as vaccination and testing campaigns, although bedside care for COVID-19 patients remained limited. The pandemic has also left its mark in the post-pandemic period. Some UNPs have retained elements of online education, notably lectures, research seminars, meetings, consultations and even online exams. Interestingly, an initial increase in applicant numbers was observed at six of the nine participating UNPs. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has widened the gap between university-educated nurses and the clinical setting, i.e. between theory and practise, underlining the importance of HSS in nursing education. Rebuilding strong partnerships is crucial, but simply returning to the pre-pandemic model is not enough. To ensure uninterrupted education during future crises, proactive planning, including the creation of predefined protocols for collaboration, is essential. The pandemic underscores the need for closer alignment between the two sectors, which would better equip future nurses with the skills they need to thrive in the nursing workforce and ensure they are prepared for the challenges of the 21st century
Training for Mindfulness Teachers: Benefits for Mindfulness, Well-being, and Emotion Regulation
Get PDFObjectives: This study examined the effects of a 9-month mindfulness teacher training (MTT) program on mindfulness skills, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being among future mindfulness instructors, compared to a control group. Method: Eighty-seven mindfulness instructors-in-training participated in the MTT program. The control group consisted of age- and gender-matched individuals. Mindfulness skills, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention using validated measures. Results: In comparison with the control group, participants in the MTT group showed significant improvements in most facets of mindfulness (i.e., observe, describe, non-react, and act with awareness). They also reported decreased rumination, as well as increased personal growth and purpose in life compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in other dimensions of emotion regulation or psychological well-being. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that mindfulness teacher trainings positively affect mindfulness skills, as well as specific aspects of psychological well-being (personal growth and purpose in life), and emotion regulation (rumination). Future research should investigate the long-term effects of these trainings and how instructors’ well-being relates to their teaching effectiveness. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered
Keeping Live Media Art Alive
No full textQuesto testo esplora i nuovi paradigmi e pratiche di conservazione della Live Medi Art –ossia l’arte che combina elementi in tempo reale, interattivi o performativi (live), con vari dispositivi mediali e tecnologici. Queste pratiche—sviluppatisi a partire dagli anni ‘90—stravolgono particolarmente i principi tradizionali di conservazione, come i concetti di originalità e autenticità.
L’obiettivo principale di questo progetto di ricerca è stato quello di sviluppare e applicare un meta-modello per la conservazione, il Multilevel Dynamic Conservation (MDC) Model. Questo modello si propone di andare oltre la semplice definizione di modello (come suggerisce il prefisso ''meta") e di affrontare le limitazioni legate all’impossibilità di standardizzare le pratiche conservative. È progettato per supportare la descrizione e lo sviluppo di modelli di conservazione multipli, necessari per gestire l’eterogeneità delle opere di live media art e rispondere alla diversità degli enti coinvolti nella loro conservazione. A sostegno di questo modello, sono stati definiti un approccio per la riattivazione (il CATTA workflow) e un linguaggio visivo per documentare i dispositivi tecnologici e i loro processi (il Modular Instruction Framework).
I risultati di questa ricerca sono stati sviluppati attraverso una review delle risorse online, un’analisi della letteratura e, in particolare, una serie di studi di caso. Questi casi, molto diversi tra di loro, hanno avuto lo scopo di esplorare la documentazione e la riattivazione delle opere, il ruolo degli artisti nello sviluppo tecnologico, i sistemi di collaborazione interdisciplinare che supportano la creazione delle opere, le basi tecnologiche delle performance e delle installazioni, e il ruolo del pubblico negli ecosistemi interattivi.
L’applicazione del meta-modello, del processo di riattivazione e del linguaggio visivo nei casi studio ha dimostrato una forte adattabilità, consentendo di supportare le opere in una varietà di contesti performativi, installativi e di ricerca. In particolare, il modello MDC si è rivelato altamente flessibile in diverse circostanze e attraverso vari sistemi computazionali, come documentare un’opera utilizzando il database grafico Neo4j; supportare la collaborazione in progetti di ricerca artistica interdisciplinare tramite la piattaforma di sviluppo GitHub; e creare un “archivio d’attore” —e.g. documentazione personale di un performer — gestendo localmente la documentazione su un computer (nel nostro caso, attraverso il Finder dei sistemi macOS).
Questo studio evidenzia, da un lato, la complessità delle nuove pratiche di conservazione per live media art, che devono adattarsi e riformularsi in base a ciascuna opera; dall’altro, sottolinea i principi fondamentali dei nuovi paradigmi di conservazione su cui si basano i modelli. I nuovi paradigmi di conservazione e i modelli sviluppati non mirano a cristallizzare l’opera nel suo stato originale, ma piuttosto a consentirne l’evoluzione e la crescita. L’opera stessa viene vista come un organismo vivente o un processo che interagisce con l’ecosistema della installazione o della performance. Questo ecosistema include media e dispositivi tecnologici, spazi, esseri umani sia come pubblico sia come performer e, soprattutto, il momento socio-culturale, sempre in costante trasformazione. Pertanto, l’opera, come un organismo vivente, ha bisogno di adattarsi, crescere, prendere forma e sviluppare la propria identità in relazione agli ecosistemi espositivi in evoluzione. Di conseguenza, lo scopo della conservazione, così come dei modelli presentati in questo testo, è mantenere viva la Live Media Art, sostenendone lo sviluppo e il divenire.This text explores the new paradigms and conservation practices for live media art—a type of art that combines real-time, interactive, or performative elements (live) with various media and technological devices. These practices–which have developed since the 1990s–particularly challenge traditional principles of conservation, such as originality and authenticity.
The main objective of this research was to develop and apply a meta-model for conservation: the Multilevel Dynamic Conservation (MDC) model. This model aims to surpass the very definition of a model (as suggested by the prefix "meta") and address the challenges of standardising conservation practices. It is designed to support the description and development of multiple conservation models necessary for handling the heterogeneity of live media works and responding to the diversity of entities involved in their conservation. To support this model, an reactivation workflow (the CATTA workflow) and a Modular Instruction Framework (MIF) for documenting technological devices and their processes were also defined.
The outcomes of this research were developed through a review of online resources, literature analysis, and, especially, a series of diverse case studies. These case studies explored not only the documentation and reactivation of artworks but also the role of artists in technological development, the interdisciplinary collaboration systems that support the artwork’s creation, the technological basis of performances and installations, and the role of audiences in interactive ecosystems.
The application of the meta-model, reactivation process, and modular instruction in the case studies demonstrated strong adaptability, enabling support for works in various performative, installation, and research contexts. In particular, the MDC model proved to be highly flexible in multiple circumstances and across different computational systems, such as documenting an artwork using the graphical database Neo4j, supporting collaboration in an artistic interdisciplinary research project through the development platform GitHub, and creating an “actor's archive”—personal documentation of a performer—by locally managing the documentation on a computer (in our case, Finder on macOS).
This study particularly highlights, on the one hand, the complexity of the new conservation practices for live media art, which must adapt and reformulate according to each artwork; on the other hand, it emphasises the fundamental principles of the new conservation paradigms upon which the developed systems are based. The new conservation paradigms do not aim to freeze the artwork in its original state but rather to allow it to evolve and grow. The artwork itself is seen as a living organism or process that interacts with the exhibition ecosystem. This ecosystem includes media and technological devices, spaces, humans as both audience and performers, and the socio-cultural moment, which is always in constant transformation. Thus, the artwork, like a living organism, needs to adapt, grow, take shape, and develop its identity in relation to the evolving exhibition ecosystems. Therefore, the purpose of conservation, as well as the systems presented in this text, is to keep live media art alive, supporting its development and becoming