181 research outputs found
Associations between low levels of serum uric acid and cardiometabolic parameters
No full textElevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk
Associations between low levels of serum uric acid and cardiometabolic parameters
No full textIntroduction: Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Objective: To evaluate the association between SUA levels and cardiometabolic parameters.
Materials and methods: SUA levels and metabolic parameters were evaluated in 139 subjects, divided into low (<5 mg/dl) and high SUA group (≥5 mg/dl).
Results: In low SUA group, SUA levels directly correlated with creatinine, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose and insulin levels, triglyceride and C-reactive protein levels. In high SUA group, SUA levels directly correlated with body weight, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, and inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol concentrations.
Discussion and conclusions: High SUA levels were linked with several cardiometabolic parameters, and low SUA levels were linearly correlated with recognized cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, increasing SUA levels - even at low concentration - could be associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Thus the range of normality for SUA level should be further analysed
Honour and recognition in the German novel of banditry ca 1800
No full textThis article performs a reading informed by Honneth’s theory of recognition of the two best-known German novels of banditry of the 1790s, Johann Heinrich Zschokke’s Abaellino der große Bandit (1794) and Christian August Vulpius’ Rinaldo Rinaldini (1799) in an effort to understand how popular literature participates in and reflects upon the discourse on honour and recognition around 1800. Its status as popular genre makes the novel of banditry (Räuberroman) a potentially interesting source on shifts in the theory and practice of honour as experienced by ordinary Europeans at the turn of the 19th century. The genre was found to relate to the honour discourse not directly, but in the manner of a heterotopia, simultaneously located outside that discourse and referentially connected to it. Taken in isolation, the novel of banditry is not an informative source on the changing role of honour and new patterns of intersubjective recognition in late 18th century Europe. Seen as part of a particular constellation of textual production and reception, however, the genre sheds light on the aporias of honour experienced by those socially marginal ‘new readers’ intent on exploiting literature in the struggle for enhanced social recognition.Peer reviewe
Albori di Entomologia merceologica e urbana nell'opera del microscopista Filippo Bonanni (1638-1725)
No full textFILIPPO BONANNI (1638-1725)
The Roman Jesuit Filippo Bonanni (1638-1725) is a prominent figure in the European cultural
landscape of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He was a scholar, a man of many interests,
both humanistic and scientific, an eclectic writer; in the history of biological sciences Bonanni
occupies a non-marginal position for his contributions in the malacological and entomological
fields, but he is best known for being, in the wake of his master the Jesuit Athanasius Kircher, a
staunch defender of the theory of spontaneous generation. This certainly damaged his reputation
as a scholar in comparison with more or less contemporary scientists who instead contributed to
refuting this theory with accurate experimental research (among the Italians, in this regard, Redi,
Malpighi, Marsili, Cestoni and Vallisnieri stand out). Bonanni’s observations on insects and other
arthropods, which he carried out above all with the aim of finding arguments in favor of the
generatio aequivoca, are found in his work Observationes circa viventia, quae in rebus non
viventibus reperiuntur. Cum micrographia curiosa sive rerum minutissimarum observationibus,
quae ope microscopii recognitae ad vivum exprimuntur, published in Rome in 1691. Written
observations thus supporting spontaneous generation, but accompanied by numerous valuable
illustrations made with the aid of the microscope which Bonanni, valiant microscopist as well as
a skilled draftsman and engraver, perfected himself, in order to investigate the microcosm of
arthropods beyond the potential of the human eye - apart from the dialectical intent mentioned
above. This is the primary objective of the Micrographia curiosa, the appendix to his work, which
enriches what is presented in the main part of the volume with further findings and tables. A
valuable work, above all related to commodity, urban and stored product entomology, given that
the author finds in the arthropods of the urban and domestic environment the raw material most
at hand as a source for observations and experiences. With surprising precision for the time, in
the Observationes mosquito, sand fly, flea, lice, booklice, coleopteran larvae, moths, other
dipterans and their details, mites, etc. are illustrated. Bonanni is the first descriptor and illustrator
ever of certain insects. Among others, worthy of note is a dermestid larva, very probably of the
genus Anthrenus, with much enlarged detail of the typical hastisetae or spear bristles, and some
figures of pretarsi of Diptera Brachycera. As a microscopist he can be compared to the
Englishman Robert Hooke (1635-1709), almost coeval, who published a Micrographia in London
(1667), from which Bonanni seems to have drawn useful insights
Local scouring at bed sills under steady and unsteady conditions
No full textDesigners are often required to produce safe and economic structures in rivers with erodible beds, which may frequently induce scouring phenomena as they interfere with the natural stream. In CHAPTER 1, an extensive literature is illustrated on scouring by jets at high and low head structures, and predictive formulae are discussed that estimate the equilibrium scour depth of the scour hole, which are most obtained empirically from field and laboratory data. It is also discussed that different stages occur during local scour development. These stages basically include an initial rapid phase of severe scouring, followed by a stabilization phase approaching equilibrium conditions after a long time.
CHAPTER 2 describes the theoretical basis to deal with long-term local scouring at bed sills under clear-water and steady-flow conditions. In gravel bed rivers, bed sills are used to limit bed degradation. Local scouring takes place downstream of each sill in addition to the general erosion pattern, and scour hole dimensions increase with the distance between sills. While overall aggradation can be estimated by using 1D morphological models, local scouring requires a more empirical approach. In fact most scouring phenomena are induced by turbulent jets that diffuse within the scour hole, by resulting in extremely complex flow fields. Many approaches are fully empirical, being based on curve fitting of experimental data that link scour depth to hydraulic quantities and sediment properties. In the most recent attempts, a semi-empirical approach has been followed, based on the identification of appropriate dimensionless groups using dimensional analysis before employing best-fitting procedures. The theoretical derivations proposed, which are based on the assumptions of the Buckingham's ?-theorem, are discussed by showing some further insights on the nature and role of the dimensionless parameters that ensued form dimensional analysis.
CHAPTER 3 presents the results of experimental tests carried out by the author in 2003 about the pattern of local scouring generated at the toe of bed sills. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of upstream sediment supply on the scour depth and shape. The experiments simulated conditions of a steady upstream sediment supply which had the same grain size composition as the sediment deposit placed on the bed of the flume. The geometric characteristics of three scour holes developed under conditions of steady-flow discharge and steady upstream sediment supply were measured during 48 different tests. It is shown that the imposed sediment transport does not require the introduction of new dimensionless parameters into existing scour depth and length prediction formulae. The effects of sediment feed are shown to be incorporated in the existing dimensionless parameters. The new data set is used to re-calibrate existing scour depth formula. The influence of jet erosion on scour geometry is also discussed.
Most research efforts have focused on predicting scour depth, which may affect the structure at the free overfall, as opposed to volumetric scour dimensions and sediment yield contribution due to local scour, which may affect downstream morphology and water quality as well as the structure but are much more difficult to measure in an actively eroding plunge pool. In CHAPTER 4, shape and volume of equilibrium local scour holes at bed sills in high-gradient streams are investigated by analyzing steady-flow scour profiles at the equilibrium stage. Geometric properties of the scour profile are analytically discussed and verified on the basis of new data from experimental tests described in CHAPTER 3 and data from literature. A model is presented to organize data analysis into a conceptual frame, which is based on the formal relationships for scour depth and length ensued from dimensional analysis, and on the assumption that scours exhibit definite geometric properties. Results show evidence of a universal geometric affinity of the scour. Geometric similarity is also found to occur, but only in a limited range of physical conditions. Prediction formulae are proposed which link the eroded volume to the geometric, hydraulic and sediment properties. Evidence on the scaling nature of the scour hole shapes have important implications on the prediction of the eroded volume. In turn, a correct evaluation of the eroded volume is necessary for the optimization of the design of the inter-sill distance.
The temporal development of clear-water local scour depth at bed sills in uniform gravel beds is considered in CHAPTER 5. A new experimental program has been carried out by the author, which started at the end of 2006 and was concluded in March 2007 at the Fluid Dynamics Laboratory of The University of Auckland (NZ). Experiments are presented on the development of scour holes under unsteady hydraulic conditions, with the triangular-shaped hydrographs tested being of different durations and different rates of flow variation. Preliminary observations are discussed on the behavior of scour development, which is compared with the scour evolution for the steady-state case. Based on the experimental results and a theoretical framework, a method is given for the definition and prediction of the scouring process under unsteady flows in terms of a dimensionless temporal parameter. A "flash flood" is defined as an event for which the scour doesn't attain its potential magnitude, i.e. the equilibrium value for the peak hydrograph flow rate. It is shown that this flood nature is dependent on both the characteristics of the flood event itself and the characteristics of the stream. A quantitative measure of what constitutes a flash flood is given in terms of the identified temporal parameter, which represents one of the main goal of this study
Gli sceneggiatori e la Multiple Authorship. Riflessioni preliminari tra sociologia politica e critica cinematografica
No full textAccording to Crozier and Friedberg, organizations are not rational structures but arenas in which every actor is engaged in a struggle of power with other actors. The article adopts their approach in order to understand one of the most important features of film production, the relationship among directors and screenwriters. Most film critics and viewers tend to discuss films as if they are products of a single author (usually the director). The article challenges this view. It adopts a “multiple authorship” perspective and uses examples from the history of cinema to show how screenwriters have left their personal sign on films. In order to build a convincing theory of “multiple authorship”, it is necessary to understand the relations of collaboration and conflict among the numerous actors involved in making a film. Therefore, the article focuses on the relationship between directors and screenwriters and outlines a typology that identifies five different ideal types of relationship between these two crucial roles. The article aims to provide a first conceptualization for a sociological study about the activity of screenwriters and about their contribution to the making of a film.
Prof. Principi and I. Lacewing News, 20:1-3
No full textOn the occasion of the hundredth birthday of Prof. Maria Matilde Principi, the author recalls the help that Prof. Principi gave him in the study of Neuroptera at the University of Bologna
Autore? Mediatore? Problem solver? Un’esplorazione sull’identità professionale degli sceneggiatori
No full textThis article is an exploratory analysis about the professional identity of screenwriters conducted through in-depth interviews with a small sample of screenwriters (Nicola Guaglianone, Barbara Petronio, Isabella Aguilar, Stefano Sudriè, Massimo Torre, Gino Capone).
Their experiences reveal that the screenwriter’s career is often characterized by frustration: their contribution in the making of a film is often ignored by critics and spectators and, above all, this contribution is often not matched by adequate decision-making power. The career of the interviewees has developed between three different professional identities: “author”, “mediator” and “problem-solver”. All respondents agree that the current phase is characterized by a profound transformation of the profession. A transformation that hides difficulties and pitfalls but also opens up new opportunities. In particular, some of
the interviewees have embarked on a path that seeks to combine the work of writing with production functions, on the model of the American television showrunner. These paths aimed at conquering (also through collective action) new spaces of decision-making power highlight the importance of the political dimension in the production of a film
Lacewings (Neuroptera) as beneficial insects in orchards: findings for plum and cherry trees in Lombardy (northern Italy)
No full textDuring faunal investigations of Neuropterida in two areas of Lombardy (northern Italy), i.e. Lomellina (province of Pavia) and Val Camonica (province of Brescia), the author also conducted field research in mixed-fruit family orchards (one orchard in each area) in which plum and cherry trees are present. More than twenty identified species of Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Coniopterygidae) were collected in all on these drupaceous trees. The mountain orchard in Val Camonica was found to be clearly richer in species than the lowland orchard in Lomellina. The different eco-clymatic, and especially the vegetational features of the two areas explain the differences in number of species in lacewing populations of the two different orchards
La cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta a Cosenza. Una rilettura critica attraverso la documentazione dell’archivio Pisanti e Castrucci
No full textDuring a long period, the scholars suspended any judgment on the presbyterial area of Cosenza Cathedral. The church’s structures were covered
by plaster and the records concerning its late XIX century restoration by Giuseppe Pisanti were lost. While waiting for new data, scholars made
different – sometimes conflicting – hypotheses about the history of such important monument. The discovery of unpublished documents about the
restoration, conserved in the “Archivio Privato Crachi”, by the author, casts therefore new light on the cathedral. Documents have been classified
and – where possible – the original context was inferred by cross-referencing data from other sources (especially Pisanti 1896). The pictures taken
during the restoration, the accurate analysis of historical sources and the precise survey made possible to form an image of the Medieval presbytery,
including the lantern and the other elements largely unknown, still now. The drawings and the sketches found allow to be aware of the work
phases regarding the works made by Pisanti so as its issues and starting point. The rediscovered configuration of the transept and sanctuary areas
make possible to re-evaluate the opinions expressed by scholars about the restoration works and the monument itself. The certain presence of the
lantern and its details deeply transform our knowledge on the ancient lighting conditions of the church. The original absence of the two lateral
cross vaults of the transept influences the medieval uncommon shape of the roofs, and so the exterior shape of the transept. Moreover, the discovery
that the large scheme of the decoration is mostly original reassures us about the restoration methods and the preservation of some mouldings and
capitals, and make we sure about the quality and fittings of the finishes. These acquisitions open a new research perspective on the history of
restoration and architecture of this cathedral
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