Alcune rappresentazioni di San Giacomo psicopompo nell’arte italiana

Santiago el psicopompo, el acompañante de las almas, es el nombre con el que se suele invocar al Apóstol. Es sobre todo en el sur de Italia donde la vía láctea se identifica, dependiendo de la zona geográfica, como la “strada di San Giacomo” (Camino de Santiago) o el “passo di San Giacomo” (paso de Santiago, en las regiones de los Abruzos y Molise) o también como el «ponte di San Giacomo » (puente de Santiago, en las regiones de Basilicata, Calabria y Sicilia). A través de la vía láctea el alma, una vez abandonado el cuerpo, realiza el viaje de la vida terrenal al más allá. Hay ejemplos también en el norte de Italia, donde las tradiciones populares locales están muy arraigadas. Además de la tarea de conducir las almas al más allá, otra característica importante es la psicostasia: la capacidad de pesar las almas y considerarlas dignas del reino de los cielos. Este aspecto se le atribuye de forma similar, aunque no siempre igual, a San Miguel Arcángel. Se han considerado algunas representaciones en el arte italiano

Tenskinmetric Evaluation of Surface Energy Changes in Adult Skin: Evidence from 834 Normal Subjects Monitored in Controlled Conditions

To evaluate the influence of the skin aging critical level on the adult skin epidermal functional state, an improved analytical method based on the skin surface energetic measurement (TVS modeling) was developed. Tenskinmetric measurements were carried out non-invasively in controlled conditions by contact angle method using only a water-drop as reference standard liquid. Adult skin was monitored by TVS Observatory according to a specific and controlled thermal protocol (Camianta protocol) in use at the interconnected "Mamma Margherita Terme spa" of Terme Euganee. From June to November 2013, the surface free energy and the epidermal hydration level of adult skin were evaluated on arrival of 265 male and 569 female adult volunteers (51–90 years of age) and when they departed 2 weeks later. Sensitive measurements were carried out at 0.1 mN/m. High test compliance was obtained (93.2% of all guests). Very interesting results are obtained. The high sensitivity and discrimination power of tenskinmetry combined with a thermal Camianta protocol demonstrate the possibility to evaluate at baseline level the surface energetic changes and the skin reactivity which occurs on adult skin

Numerical and experimental verification of an inverse-direct approach for load and strain monitoring in aeronautical structures

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Transient acceleration events in LISA Pathfinder data: properties and possible physical origin

We present an in depth analysis of the transient events, or glitches, detected at a rate of about one per day in the differential acceleration data of LISA Pathfinder. We show that these glitches fall in two rather distinct categories: fast transients in the interferometric motion readout on one side, and true force transient events on the other. The former are fast and rare in ordinary conditions. The second may last from seconds to hours and constitute the majority of the glitches. We present an analysis of the physical and statistical properties of both categories, including a cross-analysis with other time series like magnetic fields, temperature, and other dynamical variables. Based on these analyses we discuss the possible sources of the force glitches and identify the most likely, among which the outgassing environment surrounding the test-masses stands out. We discuss the impact of these findings on the LISA design and operation, and some risk mitigation measures, including experimental studies that may be conducted on the ground, aimed at clarifying some of the questions left open by our analysis.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Alcune rappresentazioni di San Giacomo psicopompo nell’arte italiana

St James the psychopomp, the companion of souls, is the name by which the Apostle is often invoked. It is above all in the south of Italy that the milky way is identified – depending on the geographic areas – either as the “road of St James (Via di San Giacomo)” or even “Passage of St James (Passo di San Giacomo)” (Abruzzo and Molise) or as “bridge of St James (ponte di San Giacomo)” (Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily) through which the soul, having abandoned the body, makes the journey from earthly life to the afterlife. But there are also examples in northern Italy, where local popular traditions are well rooted. In addition to the task of leading souls to the afterlife, another important feature is psychostasia: the possibility of weighing souls and deeming them worthy of the kingdom of heaven, which is carried out in a similar way but not always the same by St Michael the Archangel. Some representations in Italian art are discussed here

A combined chemico-mineralogical and tensiometric approach for evaluation of Euganean Thermal Mud (ETM) quality

The tensiometric versus skin approach (TVS modelling) is a non-invasive method based on the permutability principle of tensiometry. TVS modelling is a technologic model that can evaluate the reproducibility of the matrix of thermal mud, its degree of maturation, and consequently its skin affinity, in a non-destructive way. This is an essential pre-condition for defining objective scientific protocols. The surface energy profile of the matrixes is performed by a Tenskinmeter, a tensiometer modified by us for tensiometric measurements on skin. The development of a chemico-mineralogical index (Ichmi) based on X-ray fluorescence analysis allows the typical chemico-mineralogical constituents of thermal muds to be determined. The combined TVS-Ichmi approach developed here demonstrates the interconnections between the typical chemico-mineralogical components of a Euganean thermal mud and its energy surface properties. The combined approach also demonstrates the interconnections at the interface between Ichmi and the skin affinity of the mud matrix, revealing its typical functional and therapeutic effects

Transient acceleration events in LISA Pathfinder data: Properties and possible physical origin

We present an in depth analysis of the transient events, or glitches, detected at a rate of about one per day in the differential acceleration data of LISA Pathfinder. We show that these glitches fall in two rather distinct categories: fast transients in the interferometric motion readout on one side, and true force transient events on the other. The former are fast and rare in ordinary conditions. The second may last from seconds to hours and constitute the majority of the glitches. We present an analysis of the physical and statistical properties of both categories, including a cross-analysis with other time series like magnetic fields, temperature, and other dynamical variables. Based on these analyses we discuss the possible sources of the force glitches and identify the most likely, among which the outgassing environment surrounding the test-masses stands out. We discuss the impact of these findings on the LISA design and operation, and some risk mitigation measures, including experimental studies that may be conducted on the ground, aimed at clarifying some of the questions left open by our analysis.ISSN:1550-7998ISSN:0556-2821ISSN:1550-236

Appropriateness of antiplatelet therapy for primary and secondary cardio- and cerebrovascular prevention in acutely hospitalized older people

Aims: Antiplatelet therapy is recommended for the secondary prevention of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease, but for primary prevention it is advised only in patients at very high risk. With this background, this study aims to assess the appropriateness of antiplatelet therapy in acutely hospitalized older people according to their risk profile. Methods: Data were obtained from the REPOSI register held in Italian and Spanish internal medicine and geriatric wards in 2012 and 2014. Hospitalized patients aged ≥65 assessable at discharge were selected. Appropriateness of the antiplatelet therapy was evaluated according to their primary or secondary cardiovascular prevention profiles. Results: Of 2535 enrolled patients, 2199 were assessable at discharge. Overall 959 (43.6%, 95% CI 41.5–45.7) were prescribed an antiplatelet drug, aspirin being the most frequently chosen. Among patients prescribed for primary prevention, just over half were inappropriately prescribed (52.1%), being mainly overprescribed (155/209 patients, 74.2%). On the other hand, there was also a high rate of inappropriate underprescription in the context of secondary prevention (222/726 patients, 30.6%, 95% CI 27.3–34.0%). Conclusions: This study carried out in acutely hospitalized older people shows a high degree of inappropriate prescription among patients prescribed with antiplatelets for primary prevention, mainly due to overprescription. Further, a large proportion of patients who had had overt cardio- or cerebrovascular disease were underprescribed, in spite of the established benefits of antiplatelet drugs in the context of secondary prevention