23,591 research outputs found
The archaeoacoustics of San Vitale, Ravenna
No full textThis research tests and assesses whether sixth-century social and cultural dynamics can be archaeologically identified by including the study of acoustics in the context of extant Late Antique Christian architecture, namely the centrally planned domed octagonal church of San Vitale at Ravenna. Implementing a holistic archaeological research strategy that includes human sensory perception of acoustical phenomena is the best approach to unravelling the complexities of social and cultural mechanisms operating in the sixth-century Mediterranean basin. The methods and issues of Archaeoacoustics are critiqued and developed in order to comment on the intentionality of acoustic attributes in sixth-century ecclesiastical architecture.The space syntax of San Vitale has been considered for isovists at key locations during the liturgical procession and sequence of the Mass celebration. These are compared with mapped areas of perceiving the acoustic characteristics of Clarity and Reverberation Time. Combining the visual and acoustic analysis of San Vitale, with a better understanding of its date and construction phases, the physical geometry and temporal logic of the church are discussed in relation to the reflexive exchange of influence between Ravenna, Milan and Constantinople. It is posited that liturgical and musical time and tempo is materially expressed in the evident and conceptual substance of San Vitale, a suggestion that offers a springboard for future study and debate
Albumin and fibronectin adsorption on treated titanium surfaces for osseointegration: An advanced investigation
No full textProtein adsorption has a central role in the outcome of implants. However, there is no consensus about the impact of the different surface properties on the material-protein interactions. Here, the adsorption of albumin and fibmnectin in near-physiological concentration is investigated on three differently treated titanium-based surfaces and compared after a thorough characterization. The different titanium surfaces have very different surface properties, in particular regarding roughness, oxide porosity, wettability, surface energy, and zeta potential, which are all known to deeply affect protein adsorption. By merging several characterization techniques, some conventional and some innovative, it was possible to discriminate the effect of surface properties on different aspects of protein adsorption. Despite forming a continuous layer on all samples, the amount of proteins bound to the surface is mainly due to surface roughness and topography, which can overcome the effect of wettability and surface energy. On the other hand, the secondary structure of albumin and fibmnectin and their orientation are determined by the hydroxyl groups exposed on the surfaces, depending on their surface concentration and acidic reactivity in the former, and the surface zeta potential in the latter
Carbon sequestration in a Mediterranean olive orchard managed sustainably over a 20-year period
No full textOlive is a widespread crop within Mediterranean area and Italy is one of the biggest producer of olives and oil in the world. From an environmental point of view, centered on carbon (C) sequestration, managing olive orchards sustainably is an urgent and actual issue.
This trial was done in a 2-ha olive orchard (Olea europaea L., cv. ‘Maiatica’; 70-year-old plants, with a distance of 8 × 8 m and NE orientation) located in Ferrandina (Southern Italy, Basilicata region; N 40°29’; E 16°28’). The soil is a sandy loam (Haplic Calcisol - WRB), with a mean bulk density of 1.30 g cm–3 and sediment as parental material. The major landform is plain, the slope form is classified as convex-straight and the gradient class as gently sloping (2-5%). Half of the orchard has been managed using sustainable agricultural practices (sustainable management, Sung) for 20 years (2000-2020). Trees were drip-irrigated from March to October with urban wastewater. A light pruning was carried out every year during winter. The soil was permanently covered by spontaneous self-seeding weeds, mowed twice a year. Cover crop residues and prunings were shredded and left along the row as mulch.
The other half of the orchard was kept as ‘control’ plot. It was rainfed and conducted with a locally conventional management (Cmng), according to the practices usually adopted by farmers. The Cmng was managed by tillage performed 2-3 times per year to control weeds. Intensive pruning was carried out every two years, but pruned residues were removed from the orchard. A mineral fertilization was carried out once per year, during the fruit set and pit hardening phase (early spring).
The average value (n = 5; 0-100 cm soil depth) of baseline soil organic carbon (SOC) stock (related to the Cmng) in the 20-year period was 4.79 t SOC ha–1, with an average additional SOC storage potential because of the adoption of the Smng of 0.15 t SOC ha–1 yr–1, and a SOC stock after 20 years of Smng of 7.75 t SOC ha–1 yr–1.
In the Smng system, soil acted as a significant sink for C, especially due to the supplies of the organic resources internal to the system. The Smng system, made up of mature olive trees, was also able to fix in its aboveground and belowground components, a > 2-times higher total amount of C than the Cmng. Spontaneous vegetation was the most important pool, sequestering about 35% of the total fixed C. Also pruning material had a substantial importance in C fixation. Emissions of CO2 eq per kg of olives, calculated according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), were 0.08 kg in the Smng system and 0.11 kg in the Cmng system. Besides C sequestration, the application of the Smng markedly improved physical, chemical, and biological soil fertility, with benefits on plants and production.
The application of a sustainable soil and plant management makes olive growing a multifunctional rural activity, not only aimed at production, but including many other objectives, such as environmental, landscaping cultural, social and recreational
Life-threatening intracranial hypotension after diagnostic lumbar puncture
No full textLa sindrome da ipotensione liquorale (IHS) può essere raramente la conseguenza di una puntura lombare eseguita a scopo diagnostico. Essa è caratterizzata da cefalea posturale, dolore o rigidità nucale, visione offuscata, nausea, vomito, vertigini e stato confusionale. Nella maggior parte dei casi la IHS tende alla remissione spontanea con terapia conservativa. Raramente si rende necessaria la terapia chirurgica mediante “patch” epidurale (epidural blood patch, EBP). Descriviamo il caso di un paziente di 41 anni affetto da sclerosi multipla che, dopo rachicentesi lombare effettuata a scopo diagnostico, ha sviluppato una IHS non responsiva alla terapia medica. Successivamente, ha sviluppato un ematoma subdurale che si accompagnava ad un peggioramento delle condizioni cliniche generali e neurologiche fino a sfociare in una prognosi riservata quoad vitam.
L’evacuazione dell’ematoma non ha modificato le condizioni cliniche mentre abbiamo assistito alla remissione completa della sintomatologia poche ore dopo la esecuzione di un EBP. Vogliamo focalizzare l’attenzione sulla opportunità di eseguire un EBP in tutti i casi di IHS che risultano resistenti alla terapia conservativa
Protecting Animals 36: Author Witi Ihimaera
No full textIn this very special episode of Knowing Animals I am joined by beloved New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Witi has written many books featuring nonhuman animals. He offers us a non-colonial lens through which to think about the human/nonhuman relationship
L’analisi strutturale e le fasi
No full textThe X13-X13.1 is one of the most considerable cubicles in the catacomb. It consists of a quadrangular funerary chamber preceded by a short dromos placed along the gallery X. The tombs are several and of different types: arcosolia for adults and children, lithic sarcophagi, pavimental graves ("formae"), and very interesting areas for ritual "refrigerium" The archaeological investigations and the structural date indicate that the duplex cubicle is the result of different phases of development, and that it was used by a numerous and wealthy family group for several generations, by the end of the fourth/beginning of the fifth to the seventh/eighth century, as it seems also indicated by the pottery finds
Dynamics and molecular evolution of HIV-1 strains in Sicily among antiretroviral naïve patients.
No full textHIV-1 subtype B is the most frequent strain in Sicily. To date, there is no available data about the genetic diversity of HIV-1 viral strains circulating in Sicily among antiretroviral (ARV) naïve subjects and the role of immigration as potential determinant of evolutionary dynamics of HIV-1 molecular epidemiology.
For this purpose, HIV-1 polymerase (pol) sequences obtained from 155 ARV naïve individuals from 2004 to 2009 were phylogenetically analysed.
The overall rate of HIV-1 non-B infections was 31.0% (n = 48/155), increasing from 7.8% in 2004–2006 to 40.9% in 2009, and about one-third were identified as unique recombinant forms.
CRF02_AG was the prevalent non-B clade (n = 28/48, 58.3%), while subtype C-related strains were responsible for about 30% HIV-1 infections.
Non-B viruses strictly associated with heterosexual transmission (85.4%) and were mostly found among immigrants (77.1%). Phylogenetic analysis of non-B sequences found in foreign-born subjects was geographically correlated to the respective country of origin. Moreover, the detection of non-B viral variants in the autochthonous population may support an increasing genetic diversity in Sicily as well as a local circulation of HIV strains also uncommon in our country.
In Sicily, HIV-1 epidemic is still mostly attributable to the B subtype. Nevertheless, migration and population movements are progressively introducing novel HIV-1 subtypes causing a continuous increase of HIV-1 molecular dynamic at local level. Molecular surveillance is needed to monitor the genetic evolution of HIV-1 epidemic
I Think I Am Philip K. Dick
No full textFor years, noted writer Laurence A. Rickels often found himself compared to novelist Philip K. Dickthough in fact Rickels had never read any of the science fiction writers work. When he finally read his first Philip K. Dick novel, while researching for his recent book The Devil Notebooks , it prompted a prolonged immersion in Dicks writing as well as a recognition of Rickelss own long-documented intellectual pursuits. The result of this engagement is I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick , a profound thought experiment that charts the wide relevance of the pulp sci-fi author and paranoid visionary. I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick explores the science fiction authors meditations on psychic reality and psychosis, Christian mysticism, Eastern religion, and modern spiritualism. Covering all of Dicks science fiction, Rickels corrects the lack of scholarly interest in the legendary Californian author and, ultimately, makes a compelling case for the philosophical and psychoanalytic significance of Philip K. Dicks popular and influential science fiction.Intro -- Contents -- Introjection -- Part I -- Endopsychic Allegories -- Schreber Guardian -- Belief System Surveillance -- Part II -- Deeper Problems -- Veil of Tears -- Go West -- Dick Manfred -- Timing -- Glimmung -- Part III -- Spiritualism Analogy -- Imitating the Dead -- Indexical Layer -- Ilse -- Hammers and Things -- Crucifictions -- Over There -- Martyrology -- Can't Live, Can't Live -- Lola -- Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eigenwelt -- Outer Race -- The German Introject -- Part IV -- Materialism, Idealism, and Cybernetics -- Startling Stories -- A Couple of Years -- Android Empathy -- Homunculus and Robot -- ALL OF YOU ARE DEAD. I AM ALIVE. -- Go with the Flow -- Part V -- Room for Thought -- Caduceus -- Jump -- Still -- A Wake -- Spätwerk -- Let the Dead Be -- Play Bally -- Das Hund -- Notes -- BibliographyFor years, noted writer Laurence A. Rickels often found himself compared to novelist Philip K. Dickthough in fact Rickels had never read any of the science fiction writers work. When he finally read his first Philip K. Dick novel, while researching for his recent book The Devil Notebooks , it prompted a prolonged immersion in Dicks writing as well as a recognition of Rickelss own long-documented intellectual pursuits. The result of this engagement is I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick , a profound thought experiment that charts the wide relevance of the pulp sci-fi author and paranoid visionary. I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick explores the science fiction authors meditations on psychic reality and psychosis, Christian mysticism, Eastern religion, and modern spiritualism. Covering all of Dicks science fiction, Rickels corrects the lack of scholarly interest in the legendary Californian author and, ultimately, makes a compelling case for the philosophical and psychoanalytic significance of Philip K. Dicks popular and influential science fiction.Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, YYYY. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries
Medical communications and writing for patients
No full textIn this first edition of 2021’s Medical Writing, I am delighted to present a piece from Filippo Vitale and colleagues. This is a truly fascinating article that discusses how we have communicated science and scientific facts throughout history and how changes in societyhave affected how this is done and the outcomes that this has produced.
I found this article extremely thought- provoking (and at times a sad reflection of where we have come to as a global society) as the authors document and explain concepts like “clickbait” and “fake news”. Whilst it was truly educational to understand the evolution of these concepts, I totally echo the authors’ call to arms in their plea for us to be more aware of these phenomena and to do our utmost to counter them. As medical writers, we are uniquely placed
to do this, and I consider it our duty to do so. What a way to start a new year
The immunohistochemical localization of alpha1-antichymotrypsin and fibronectin and its meaning for the determination of the vitality of human skin wounds
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