255 research outputs found
Il restauro del monumento Gravina Bonanno di Montevago nel camposanto di S. Orsola a Palermo
No full textOggetto della pubblicazione è la tomba mausoleo nel cimitero di S. Orsola di Palermo per Pellegra Gravina Bonanno di Montevago, ultima discendente ed unica erede dei principi di Montevago, tra i cui congiunti erano illustri personalità come il generale Federico Carlo Gravina (lo sconfitto della battaglia di Trafalgar) e il Cardinale Pietro, arcivescovo di Palermo. Il monumento, che si configura come un tempio distico in antis dorico siculo e risente anche di influenze canoviane, viene qui attribuito alla progettazione dell’architetto Emmanuele Palazzotto (1798-1872), autore di importanti architetture a Palermo, tra cui i campanili neogotici sul Palazzo Arcivescovile, e all’esecuzione di Giuseppe Monroy conte di Ranchibile, ora inedita figura di dilettante di architettura. Inoltre si definisce con precisione la datazione dell'opera posticipandola di quasi vent'anni al 1855, rispetto a quanto riportato finora dagli studi specifici. I testi si avvalgono delle indagini diagnostiche e delle osservazioni compiute durante i lavori di restauro, nonché dei numerosi documenti d’archivio reperiti per questa occasione, in maniera da contestualizzare le ragioni della committenza, il decorso del cantiere e l’esito artistico dello stesso in generale e nel contesto della produzione dell'architetto Palazzotto
Thalamic astrocytic hamartoma and associated meningoangiomatosis in a German shepherd dog
No full textThe present paper describes an astrocytic thalamic hamartoma associated with tectal meningoangiomatosis in a 3-month-old female German shepherd dog showing strabismus, opistotonus, circling, and fore limb hypermetria. MR images of the brain showed a well-defined intra-axial mass in the tectal region. The mass was hypointense to gray matter on T2-weighted images and hyperintense to gray matter on precontrast T1-weighted images. Histologically, glial cells arranged in a multinodular pattern characterized the mass. More caudally the lesion merged with subpial abnormal newly formed plaque-like shaped tissue characterized by thick branching bundles of spindle-shaped cells surrounding a central vessel. In the nodules, GFAP and vimentin were diffusely expressed. In the vascular proliferation Factor VIII-positive reaction was limited to endothelial cells while the remaining spindle-shaped cells were diffusely SMA-positive. The glial nodules did not express lysozyme and MAC387, nor neurofilaments and nestin
Giacomo Serpotta nella chiesa di Sant'Orsola di Palermo. Studi e restauro
No full textLa monografia affronta in maniera interdisciplinare un'opera meno nota di Giacomo Serpotta, realizzata tra il 1695 e il 1696, all'interno della chiesa palermitana di Sant'Orsola. A dispetto dell'apparente consistenza come apparato minore, lo studio e il restauro, intersecando le conoscenze acquisite durante il cantiere, hanno posto in evidenza aspetti meno divulgati sia relativi alla tecnica, che all'iconografia (anche relativamente ad inediti modelli di riferimento), che all'interpretazione delle immagini simboliche. La ricerca, anche con il rinvenimento di documentazione inedita d'archivio, ha fissato le coordinate cronologiche dell'apparato plastico, in relazione al sito e alla produzione serpottiana, distinguendo con precisione gli interventi nelle due cappelle di S. Orsola e delle Anime Purganti, finora assimilati. L'incrocio metodologico tra le notizie documentarie e le osservazioni durante il cantiere di restauro ha consentito di confermare alcuni dati relativamente ai restauri precedenti nonché, per la prima volta in maniera chiara ed incontrovertibile, in relazione ad un aspetto preciso della tecnica serpottiana, la cosiddetta "allustratura", sfatando errate interpretazioni presenti finora nella letteratura artistica di settore. Contestualmente è stata presa in esame, per la prima volta, l'attività di cantiere, che ha consentito di fare alcune considerazioni sulla modalità di realizzazione delle opere , in sede o in bottega.
L'individuazione di alcuni disegni inediti autografi ha arricchito il lavoro che è stato condotto tramite una disamina originale dell'iconografia dell'apparato e presentando l'interpretazione iconologica, che riporta una lettura del tutto nuova e non scontata, legata al Giudizio Universale
Impact of medical treatments for male lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia on ejaculatory function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
No full textIntroduction: Several drugs, currently used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can be associated with bothersome sexual side effects, including ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD). Aim: To provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the impact of medical treatments for LUTS due to BPH on ejaculatory function. Main Outcome Measure: EjD related to medical treatments for LUTS. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases. EjD was identified using both free text ("ejaculat*," "retrograde ejaculation," "anejaculation," "ejaculatory dysfunction") and Mesh ("Ejaculation") searches. Results: Of 101 retrieved articles, 23 were included in the present meta-analysis. EjD was significantly more common with alpha-blockers (ABs) than with placebo (OR:5.88; P<0.0001), in particular, considering Tamsulosin (OR:8.58; P=0.006) or Silodosin (OR:32.5; P<0.0001), with Tamsulosin associated with significantly lower risk of EjD than Silodosin (OR:0.09; P<0.00001). Conversely, Doxazosin and Terazosin were associated with a risk similar to placebo. Meta-regression showed that EjD was associated with IPSS and with Qmax both before and after treatment with ABs, while multivariate analysis demonstrated that EjD was independently associated with the improvement of IPSS (adj.r:0.2012; P<0.0001) and Qmax (adj.r:0.522; P<0.0001). EjD was significantly more common with 5ARIs as compared with placebo (OR:2.73; P<0.0001). Both Finasteride (OR 2.70; P<0.0001) and Dutasteride (OR 2.81; P=0.0002) were associated with significantly higher risk of EjD than placebo. EjD was significantly more common with combination therapy as compared with ABs alone (OR:3.75; P<0.0001),or with 5ARIs alone (OR:2.76; P=0.02). Conclusions: ABs and 5ARI were both associated with significantly higher risk of EjD than placebo. More the AB is effective over time, greater is the incidence of EjD. Finasteride has the same risk of Dutasteride to cause EjD. Combination therapy with ABs and 5ARIs resulted in a 3-fold increased risk of EjD as compared with ABs or 5ARIs alone. These data can be relevant both for drug selection and patients counseling. Gacci M, Ficarra V, Sebastianelli A, Corona G, Serni S, Shariat SF, Maggi M, Zattoni F, Carini M, and Novara G. Impact of medical treatments for male lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia on ejaculatory function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sex Med 2014;11:1554-1566. © 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine
On the hydrologic-hydraulic revaluation of large dams
No full textThe aim of the present work is to develop a criteria to evaluate the safety level of large dams. This is executed by comparing the discharge capability of a dam with the peak flow estimates, with respect to 100-, 200-, 500-, and 1000- year return periods. The methodology consists of estimating the intensity duration frequency (IDF) curves, starting from observational time series, collected by rain gauges. Then, through a rainfall-runoff transformation, the design hydrographs are obtained for different return periods. The results are compared to trends of peak discharges, obtained previously by the handler of the dam. It can be noted that, if the basin area is smaller than 1 km2, the peak discharges estimated are always lower than those calculated by the handler, regardless of the antecedent moisture conditions (AMC) assumed. Otherwise, the peak discharges obtained by the handler range between those we obtained for AMCII and AMCIII
A deep Q-learning based approach applied to the snake game
No full textIn recent years, one of the highest challenges in the field of artificial intelligence has been the creation of systems capable of learning how to play classic games. This paper presents a Deep Q-Learning based approach for playing the Snake game. All the elements of the related Reinforcement Learning framework are defined. Numerical simulations for both the training and the testing phases are presented. A particular focus is given to the associated Neural Network hyperparameters tuning, which is a crucial step in the agent design process and for the achievement of a desired target level of performance
Electrophysiological changes in ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons by (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDMA-ectasy
No full textA systematic analysis of precipitation retrieved by a Polarimetric Doppler ground radar in Central Italy
No full textFrom Nissen Fundoplication to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass to Treat Both GERD and Morbid Obesity
No full textBackground: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in obese individuals in around 30%. While fundoplication is the treatment of choice in non-obese individuals with GERD resistant to medical treatment, the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the most effective option in the setting of morbid obesity to treat at the same time both GERD and obesity. Methods: We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with a BMI of 37 kg/m2 who underwent an open Nissen fundoplication in 2010 and surgical revision in 2012 with redo of the Nissen fundoplication. She consulted for dysphagia and obesity complicated by invalidating arthrosis. A barium swallow showed esophageal dilatation and cardial stenosis. Manometry revealed incomplete waves and high pressure at the lower esophageal sphincter. We decided to convert the Nissen fundoplication to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Results: In this video, we show how to revise Nissen fundoplication to RYGB. The intervention starts by complete dissection of the gastric valve and the hiatal region from right to left. Then, a short gastric pouch is created taking care to exclude the gastric fundus that is also partially resected. We perform a hand-sewn gastro-jejunal anastomosis slightly larger than for conventional bypass. A RYGB with 50-cm bilio-pancreatic and 150-cm alimentary limb is then performed. Conclusions: Conversion of Nissen fundoplication to RYGB allows treatment of dysphagia, which may represent a complication of the fundoplication, and is effective for management obesity and GERD. In this video we show important technical steps of this procedure
On precipitation measurements collected by a weather radar and a rain gauge network
No full textMany phenomena (such as attenuation and range degradation) can influence the accuracy of rainfall radar estimates. They introduce errors that increase as the distance from radar increases, thereby decreasing the reliability of radar estimates for applications that require quantitative precipitation estimation. The present paper evaluates radar error as a function of the range, in order to correct the rainfall radar estimates. The radar is calibrated utilizing data from the rain gauges. Then, the G/R ratio between the yearly rainfall amount measured in each rain gauge position during 2008 and the corresponding radar rainfall amount is calculated against the slant range. The trend of the G/R ratio shows two behaviours: a concave part due to the melting layer effect close to the radar location and an almost linear, increasing trend at greater distances. A best fitting line is used to find an adjustment factor, which estimates the radar error at a given range. The effectiveness of the methodology is verified by comparing pairs of rainfall time series that are observed simultaneously by collocated rain gauges and radar. Furthermore, the variability of the adjustment factor is investigated at the scale of event, both for convective and stratiform events. The main result is that there is not a univocal range error pattern, as it also depends on the characteristics of the considered event. On the other hand, the adjustment factor tends to stabilize itself for time aggregations of the order of one year or greater
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