RICKETS AT THE MEDICI COURT OF FLORENCE: THE CASE OF DON FILIPPINO (1577-1582)

Among the children found in the crypt of the Grand Duke Giangastone in S. Lorenzo Basilica (Florence), the skeletal remains of a 5-year-old child still wearing his fine high social status clothing were recovered. This child of the Medici family was identified as Don Filippino (1577-1582), son of the Grand Duke Francesco I (1541-1587) and Giovanna from Austria (1547-1578). The prince showed several pathological deformities of the cranial and post-cranial skeleton, including enlargement of the cranium, thinning of the cranial vault bones (craniotabes), platybasia and marked bending of femora, tibiae and fibulae. Differential diagnosis suggests that Don Filippino was affected by rickets. The occurrence of this metabolic disease related to vitamin D deficiency in a Renaissance high social class individual can be explained by the practice of very prolonged breast-feeding, up until to sunlight. Historical sources describe Don Filippino as frail and sickly, with frequent illnesses and persistent slight fevers, and it can be supposed that the child was frequently confined indoors, especially in the cold season. Integration of osteoarchaeological evidence with historical documentation suggests that bone lesions observed in the skeletal remains of Don Filippino are compatible with a diagnosis of rickets, caused by the custom of prolonged breast-feeding associated with inadequate sunlight exposure two years of age. Maternal milk contains insufficient vitamin D ratios and retarded weaning severely exposes children to a higher risk of developing rickets, especially if dietary habits are combined with inadequate exposure

Noise reduction and spatial resolution in CT imaging with the ASIR iterative reconstruction algorithm at different doses and contrasts – a phantom study

Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess noise reduction and spatial resolution in computed tomography (CT) imaging with the ASIR (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, GE Healthcare) reconstruction algorithm at different kVp, mAs and contrasts. Methods and materials Acquisitions of the Catphan-504 phantom were performed on a PET/CT scanner (Discovery-710, GE Healthcare). CT images were reconstructed using both filtered back projection (FBP) and ASIR with different percentages of reconstruction (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%). The image noise was estimated for different values of scanning parameters (i.e. tube-load, kilovoltage, pitch, slice thickness). Then, 3D/2D/1D noise power spectrum was estimated. Also, spatial resolution was assessed by obtaining the modulation transfer function (MTF) for a wide range of scanning parameters values and different contrast objects by the circular Edge Spread Function method (using CTP404 modulus) and the Point Spread Function method (using CTP528 modulus). . Results Image noise decreased (up to 50% as compared to FBP) with increasing the percentage of ASIR reconstruction (behaviour more relevant for higher spatial frequencies). Only for low tube load (<56 mAs) and low contrast objects (polistirene with respect to PMMA) acquisitions, MTF analysis showed that ASIR-reconstructed images were characterized by an appreciable reduction in spatial resolution, when compared to FBP-reconstructed images. Conclusion When compared to FBP, ASIR allows a relevant noise reduction without appreciably affecting image quality, except for very low dose and contrast acquisitions

The Quest for Dual and Binary Supermassive Black Holes: A Multi-Messenger View

The quest for binary and dual supermassive black holes (SMBHs) at the dawn of the multi-messenger era is compelling. Detecting dual active galactic nuclei (AGN) – active SMBHs at projected separations larger than several parsecs – and binary AGN – probing the scale where SMBHs are bound in a Keplerian binary – is an observational challenge. The study of AGN pairs (either dual or binary) also represents an overarching theoretical problem in cosmology and astrophysics. The AGN triggering calls for detailed knowledge of the hydrodynamical conditions of gas in the imminent surroundings of the SMBHs and, at the same time, their duality calls for detailed knowledge on how galaxies assemble through major and minor mergers and grow fed by matter along the filaments of the cosmic web. This review describes the techniques used across the electromagnetic spectrum to detect dual and binary AGN candidates and proposes new avenues for their search. The current observational status is compared with the state-of-the-art numerical simulations and models for formation of dual and binary AGN. Binary SMBHs are among the loudest sources of gravitational waves (GWs) in the Universe. The search for a background of GWs at nHz frequencies from inspiralling SMBHs at low redshifts, and the direct detection of signals from their coalescence by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna in the next decade, make this a theme of major interest for multi-messenger astrophysics. This review discusses the future facilities and observational strategies that are likely to significantly advance this fascinating field

Excitonic Approach for Nonadiabatic Dynamics: Extending Beyond the Frenkel Exciton Model

We report the formulation and implementation of an extended Frenkel exciton model (EFEM) designed for simulating the dynamics of multichromophoric systems, taking into account of the possible presence of inter-chromophore charge transfer states, as well as other states in which two chromophores are simultaneously excited. Our approach involves constructing a Hamiltonian based on calculations performed on monomers and selected dimers within the multichromophoric aggregate. The nonadiabatic molecular dynamics is addressed using a surface hopping approach, while the electronic wavefunctions and energies required for constructing the EFEM are computed utilizing the semiempirical floating occupation molecular orbitals-configuration interaction (FOMO-CI) electronic structure method. To validate our approach, we simulate the singlet fission process in a trimer of 2,5-bis(fluorene-9-ylidene)-2,5-dihydrothiophene (ThBF) molecules, embedded in their crystal environment, comparing the results of the EFEM to the standard ``supermolecule'' approach

Syndromic craniosynostosis in a Modern age skeleton from Siena (central Italy)

Abstract: The skeleton of a female adult found in archaeological excavations carried out in Siena (central Italy) and dated back to the modern age showed a severe skull malformation due to the premature bilateral closure of the coronal suture, which determined a deformed brachycephalic skull. This craniosynostosis was associated with other malformations, such as shallow orbits, hypertelorism, mandibular prognathism, and consequent malocclusion, but there was absence of anomalies in the remaining bones of the extremities. These features did not seem to be related to an isolated condition but to a more complex genetic syndrome, suggesting a possible case of Crouzon syndrome. Besides representing a rare finding in archaeological material, the present case provides the opportunity to observe in an adult subject lesions typical of this congenital disorder, which is at present surgically corrected in infantile age

Eco-architecture and sustainable mobility: an integrated approach in Ladispoli town

This paper presents an eco-architecture project in a public green space of the Ladispoli Municipality, located on the Italian shorelines close to the city of Rome. The purpose of the project is the creation of a multifunctional urban green space, where social relations, sports, environmental awareness education and other activities can take place in a natural context. The final aim of the project, which includes a requalification of the surrounding areas, is to obtain an ecofriendly interaction between the urban public space and the built space, with sustainable mobility principles and the conservation of the natural environment. The project offers different outdoor activities for all ages and includes the design of a building which contains two multipurpose playgrounds, a gym, supporting functions, a bar and public toilets. The building design includes a green roof, for preserving space to nature and for guaranteeing a harmonious integration with the surrounding environment. In order to enlarge the green area, to bring it up to the contiguous buildings and to create a closer connection between the housing areas on both sides of the ditch and the park itself, a tunnel for the vehicular traffic was created. The project improves the usability of the green space through the introduction of: pedestrian and cycle paths connected to the existing ones, wooden bridges, new functions and services. The distinctive feature of the whole project is an integration of different best available technologies for obtaining an optimization of the performances in terms of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, aiming to achieve at the same time, a reduction of operating costs and the preservation of local biodiversity

Quantitative assessment of noise and spatial resolution properties of ASIR-reconstructed CT images at different percentages of reconstruction

Introduction Computed tomography (CT) is the largest source of population exposure to ionizing radiation in industrialized countries. Recent advances in CT imaging include the development of iterative reconstruction algorithms in order to obtain a dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic quality of images. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess noise reduction and spatial resolution in CT imaging with the ASIR (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, GE Healthcare) reconstruction algorithm at different percentages of reconstruction as well as different kVp, mAs and contrasts. Acquisitions of the Catphan-504 phantom were performed on a PET/CT scanner (Discovery-710, GE Healthcare). CT images were reconstructed using both filtered back projection (FBP) and ASIR with different percentages of reconstruction (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%). The image noise was estimated for different values of scanning parameters (i.e. mAs, kVp, pitch, slice thickness). Then, 3D/2D/1D noise power spectrum was estimated. Also, spatial resolution was assessed by obtaining the modulation transfer function (MTF) for a wide range of scanning parameters values and different contrast objects by the circular Edge Spread Function method and the Point Spread Function method. Image noise decreased (up to 50% as compared to FBP) when increasing the percentage of ASIR reconstruction (behaviour more relevant for higher spatial frequencies). Only for low tube load (&lt;56 mAs) and lower contrast objects (with respect to phantom background - i.e. PMP, Delrin, LDPE and Polystyrene) acquisitions, MTF analysis showed that, increasing the ASIR percentage, the reconstructed images were characterized by an appreciable reduction in spatial resolution, when compared to FBP-reconstructed images. When compared to FBP, ASIR allows a relevant noise reduction without appreciably affecting image quality, except for very low dose and contrast acquisitions

L’applicazione della TAC al microscavo archeologico dei cinerari: il caso della necropoli villanoviana di Pisa

Il poster riguarda il ritrovamento di una necropoli villanoviana ad incinerazione nel quartiere di Porta a Lucca a Pisa