Aspleniaceae

Plantas terrestres, rupícolas o epifíticas. Rizomas cortos, erectos a suberectos, ocasional-mente largos y rastreros, dictiostélicos, radialmente asimétricos, con escamas clatradas, basifijas. Frondes usualmente monomorfas, raramente dimorfas; pecíolos no articulados, en general surcados adaxialmente a la madurez, a veces con escamas en la base y luego glabros, con 2 haces vasculares; raquis surcado en su cara adaxial, glabros o con escamas pequeñas, generalmente alados; láminas simples a varias veces divididas, pinnas a menudo asimétricas, en general cortamente pecioluladas o sésiles, no articuladas, glabras a veces con pequeños pelos uniseriados, glandulosos y escamas delicadas, herbáceas, membranáceas, coriáceas a subcarnosas, venación libres o raramente anastomosada; soros simples, dorsales sobre las venillas, elípticos a lineares, indusios de inserción lateral; esporangios largamente pedicelaos; esporas monoletes, generalmente elípticas, con perisporio. x=36. El tratamiento de la familia es muy variable, así Copeland (1947) reconoce 8 géneros, Holttum (1974) propone 5 géneros, Pichi-Sermolli (1977) admite 14 géneros, mientras Tryon & Tryon (1982) define 7 géneros con aproximadamente 700 especies. Para la Argentina, Ponce (1996), cita 3 géneros, Asplenium L., Phyllitis Hill y Pleosorus Fée, que reúnen 37 especies. En el valle de Lerma se encuentra solamente el género Asplenium

Site analysis in the Argentinean Andean region for the placement of astrophysical observatories and solar photovoltaic power plants: The case of the “Leoncito 2” site

After a detailed search for possible sites where to place astrophysical facilities in Argentinean Andean region, a location labeled as LEO 2 (31°24′22″ S, 69°29′32″ W, 1630 masl) is proposed. It is placed near the largest Astronomical Observatory of Argentina: Complejo AStronómico El LEOncito (CASLEO). Its advantages are: a good altitude to detect the maximum development of cosmic ray showers, high spectral transmittance to UV and visible ranges, very low aerosol content (mean particle concentration measured at ground with an optical particle counter PM2.5 = 1.52 µg m−3 and PM>2.5 = 6.83 µg m−3, mean Aerosol Optical Depth at 550 nm = 0.027 (measured from space using the SeaWiFS instrument on board of the SeaStar NASA satellite). A local meteorological analysis was done, using data measured in situ, which shows a typical desertic site with the following mean annual (std. dev.) values:mean annual temperature 18.93 (7.66) °C, mean annual relative humidity 28.76 (20.55)%, low/ moderate mean annual average wind speed 11.63 (8.78) km/h, low mean water content (0.73 cm) and rather low mean cloud coverage fraction (cloud coverage fraction): 0.29 (0.02) (for the period 2003–2016 from Aqua/NASA satellite MODIS device) and 0.25 (0.01) (for the period 2000–2016, Terra/NASA satellite MODIS device). Concerning the conditions for the placement of photovoltaic solar power plants, some positive aspects that can be remarked are a large rather flat available surface (336 km2) with very good levels of annual mean horizontal solar irradiation: Global (2334 kWh m−2 per year), Direct (3127 kWh m−2 per year) and Diffuse (394 kWh m−2 per year). Optimum angle to place solar panels at this site is determined and the global tilted solar irradiation is calculated (2689 kWh m−2 per year). In comparison with an African (Ouarzazate, Morocco) and Asian (Dubai) sites, the analysed site present better annual irradiation levels being the Global horizontal irradiation at the Argentinean site 8.1% and 10.3% higher than those calculated for the African and Asian site respectively. Also, a comparison is made of different solar cells (monocrystalline Si, polycrystalline Si and perovskite), through the calculation of the generated photocurrent (mean produced solar photovoltaic current per unit cell surface), considering the atmospheric and solar radiation parameters found for the studied site. We thus conclude that the proposed site in the Andes range is well suited for the placement of Astrophysical facilities, as well as Photovoltaic solar power plants.Fil: Freire, Martín Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Della Ceca, Lara Sofia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Micheletti, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Novara, Ivan Lionel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Beatriz Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Tecnología en Detección y Astropartículas. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Instituto de Tecnología en Detección y Astropartículas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Tecnología en Detección y Astropartículas; ArgentinaFil: Mancilla, Alexis Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Tecnología en Detección y Astropartículas. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Instituto de Tecnología en Detección y Astropartículas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Tecnología en Detección y Astropartículas; ArgentinaFil: Salum, G. M.. Universidad YachayTech; EcuadorFil: Crinó, E.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Piacentini, Ruben Dario Narciso. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; Argentin

Brief intensive observation areas in the management of acute heart failure in elderly patients leading to high stabilisation rate and less admissions

Objectives. Acute heart failure is major cause of hospitalisation in Western countries. As patients with acute heart failure cannot be admitted directly to the wards, they stay in emergency rooms, causing access block. Brief Intensive Observation areas are holding units dedicated to the stabilisation of patients requiring close monitoring. However, these units have been associated with acute exacerbation of heart failure. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Brief Intensive Observation areas on the management of acute heart failure in elderly patients. Methods. This retrospective, single-centred observational study analysed patients who presented in the emergency room with acute heart failure in 2017 and divided them into two cohorts: those treated in the Brief Intensive Observation and those who were not. The reduction of colour codes at discharge, mortality rate within the emergency rooms, hospitalisation rate, rate of transfer to less intensive facilities and readmission rate at 7, 14 and 30 days after discharge were compared. Results. Of the 694 patients, 62% were transferred to the Brief Intensive Observation for stabilisation. Age and sex between the cohorts were not significantly different. However, compared to non-Brief Intensive Observation patients, the Brief Intensive Observation patients had worse clinical conditions on arrival and longer stabilisation period. The stabilisation rate was higher in Brief Intensive Observation patients than in non-Brief Intensive Observation patients. Conclusions. Brief Intensive Observation areas allows effective stabilisation of elderly patients, better management of beds, reduced admission rates and reduced use of high intensity care unit beds

Contextual influences on Italian university students during the COVID-19 lockdown: Emotional responses, coping strategies and resilience

Based on an ecological perspective on the COVID-19 lockdown experience, this study describes psychological responses among Italian university students. Our study considers three zones of the country that have differed in the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this research explores whether differences in pandemic conditions can account for their divergent psychological outcomes. The participants were 792 university students from seven different Italian universities. Students were asked to express their emotions and describe meaningful events during the lockdown in writing. Based on the grounded theory approach, this study conducted qualitative data analysis using ATLAS.ti 8.0. The core emerged categories are emotions, emotional moods and state of mind, coping strategies, and resilience. The results describing these emergent factors in relation to environmental variables highlight differences in the feeling of anxiety among individuals: anxiety was more self-focused in zones that were more affected by the lockdown, while such anxiety was more related to family and friends in less-affected zones. In addition to identifying the negative repercussions that this emergency has had, this study describes some positive outcomes, such as the elaboration of new personal perspectives that help foster individual growth and allow individuals to gain new awareness of themselves and others. The confinement due to the COVID-19 emergency measures has been a very unique experience for people, and further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the different coping responses activated by participants during and after the lockdown

Marginalità sociale e vulnerabilità lavorativa. Progettare inclusione: gli interventi del Centro d'Ascolto Caritas e delle Acli di Pisa.

L’intreccio dell’esperienza di servizio civile presso il Centro d’Ascolto Caritas di Pisa con lo studio delle dinamiche interne alla banlieue, ha costituito lo spunto di riflessione per approfondire, in questo lavoro di tesi, il tema dell’inserimento lavorativo di coloro che vivono ai margini della società e nelle periferie urbane, e che sperimentano condizioni di vulnerabilità non solo sociale ma anche lavorativa. I meccanismi che contraddistinguono la periferia parigina sono assimilabili, per intensità e modalità, a quelli esistenti nelle altre periferie europee, comprese quelle italiane. Pertanto, da un’iniziale illustrazione delle principali caratteristiche della banlieue, si è proseguito con l’approfondimento dei fenomeni di esclusione sociale e lavorativa nel nostro contesto geografico. In particolare, l’attenzione si è inizialmente focalizzata sulle percezioni dei soggetti definiti marginali e sulle strategie di differenziazione da questi messe in atto per potersi sentire accettati dalla comunità e maggiormente inclusi nella società. È stato constatato, non solo attraverso l’analisi di rilevazioni statistiche, ma anche per mezzo di letture di sentenze delle sezioni lavoro dei tribunali, che le dinamiche di stigmatizzazione territoriale, di esclusione sociale e lavorativa si influenzano vicendevolmente. Queste finiscono per indebolire ulteriormente le reti di riferimento dei soggetti in condizione di vulnerabilità e per limitare le loro già scarse opportunità di ascesa sociale e di impiego. Inoltre, l’approfondimento relativo alla trasformazione nel tempo della povertà, a fronte del cambiamento degli stili di vita e dei processi sociali, ha evidenziato l’esistenza di nuovi soggetti a rischio e interessati da questa problematica, allo stesso tempo ha portato alla luce l’attuale fenomeno che investe i cosiddetti working poor, ovvero coloro che pur lavorando e percependo un reddito, non riescono a soddisfare le proprie esigenze e quelle dei familiari. Tutto questo avviene in un contesto caratterizzato dalla proliferazione di nuove tipologie contrattuali, le quali, piuttosto che infondere sicurezza, instaurano precarietà e generano impossibilità di progettare il futuro. Le tematiche di marginalità sociale e di vulnerabilità lavorativa, fin qui illustrate, costituiscono le principali problematiche presentate dagli utenti agli sportelli del Centro d’Ascolto. Durante l’esperienza di servizio civile, ho potuto constatare che, attraverso l’attenzione posta alle richieste e ai problemi, in seguito alla decodifica dei bisogni, il Cd’A interviene con l’erogazione di servizi di bassa soglia e con la costruzione di progetti personalizzati. Affinché la progettualità avviata riesca a rimuovere le cause profonde che generano marginalità e abbia riscontri tangibili, coopera e interagisce con altre realtà presenti sul territorio, come le Acli. Per avvalorare il lavoro di ricerca, attraverso metodologie qualitative, è stato approfondito il processo che porta all’incontro di domanda e offerta di lavoro, mirato ad accompagnare la persona verso il raggiungimento multidimensionale del benessere, e quindi ad incidere positivamente sui diversi aspetti della vita

Petro-archaeometrical characterisation of the Medieval Tower of “Banca Popolare di Ravenna” (Ravenna-Italy): Preliminary results.

In 1980, the courtyard of the headquarters of the Banca Popolare of Ravenna, was excavated to build several underground rooms. The excavations brought into light finding of a complex archaeological sequence, with stratification up to more than 3 metres deep in places. At the lower level were found remains of a building characterised by a tower. At the end of the excavations, the tower was reassembled inside the headquarters of the bank, where is still present. The remains of this tower are important for two reasons: Firstly, because in Ravenna, masonry represents one of the uncommon examples of masonry devoid of repairs: it can be an ideal condition to look for samples not contaminated by XIX-XX centuries restorations. Secondly, because of the material employed, in fact the bricks used in the construction of the tower are all in one piece and used for the first time. This feature is commonly assumed by the archaeologists as usual of the Ravenna medieval masonries, only since the late Middle Age. Thanks to the head of the Banca Popolare of Ravenna, and to the “Soprintendenza per i Beni Architettonici e per il Paesaggio di Ravenna” involved in the conservation of Ravenna cultural heritage, it was possible extract representative samples (bricks and mortars) from the tower's structure. A petrochemical-mineralogical characterisation of these samples was carried out using bulk techniques, that analyse a few grams of homogenised (powdered) samples, and thin section microscopical analysis that allow to investigate the composition of the samples, considering their heterogeneity at a micrometre scale. Samples from other historical buildings in Ravenna were characterised the same way. This approach will allow the definition of the technological level of bricks' and mortars' production in Ravenna during the Middle Age, and to identify potential differences between these materials, and other used in the XIX-XX centuries restorations

Immigrant prisoners in Italy. Cultural mediation to reduce social isolation and increase migrant prisoner well-being?

Purpose This study aims to highlight how easy it is for immigrants to break Italian law because of the country’s inadequate cultural and linguistic mediation service. Insufficiencies in this service also have a negative impact on both the psychological and physical health of migrant prisoners. Furthermore, Italian is used in legal disputes and prison, and reference is made to Italian culture, preventing migrants from understanding their position regarding the law. Design/methodology/approach This report concerns the psychological discomfort of migrant incarcerated individuals within Italian prisons due to national laws in force. Consideration is also given to the negative impact on the physical health of incarcerated migrants. Findings Best practice should include adequate space for linguistic and cultural mediation in reception centres and prisons. It is considered suitable to combat social exclusion, even in prison. Research limitations/implications The report is not research on prisoners, but it focuses on making visible the condition of migrant individuals incarcerated in Italy. Social implications Enforced isolation does not allow immigrants to become a community resource but has negative repercussions in terms of financial, social and well-being costs. Originality/value This paper is one of few in limited, national or otherwise scientific output, to contribute to migrant inmate visibility in Italy. Taking action for the well-being of migrant prisoners will not only have a positive impact on a social level but should also help reintegrate these individuals after serving their sentence