Technique and Form of the Land: The Systems and the Morphologies of Turkish Caravanserais The Design of the Landscape, the Caravan Routes, the Silk Road, the Caravanserais

This research doesn’t want to offer defined and systematic contributions; it isn’t a cataloguing or an historico-critical analysis of the “caravanserais” phenomenon. The aim consists in the effort to explain the relationship linking the form to geography, morphology and landscape architecture. The purpose is to offer a critical reading of the typological differences own of these structures, in relation to urban and suburban settlements, with particular reference to the examples scattered throughout the Mediterranean, in Egypt, Syria and Turkey. The caravanserais, commercial architectures on the ancient trade routes, are the topic of this paper. The cognitive analysis rebuilds a global vision about their origin, their character and the way in which these buildings build the landscape and the city. These complex and recognizable structures, the network of the routes, the land subdivision, the pattern crops are the elements contributing to the recognition of the landscape identity, where the physical factor and the historical events determine the perpetuation of techniques and forms

A double nellix and chimney covered stents: challenging treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysm

A 77-year-old male patient presented with a symptomatic, 66-mm pararenal aortic aneurysm. The patient was classified as unsuitable for open surgery due to significant comorbidities. Fenestrated or branched endografts were contraindicated due to the poor iliac access (6 mm diameter). A double Nellix with chimney endovascular aneurysm sealing (ChEVAS) technique was selected to exclude the pararenal aortic aneurysm and to preserve renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery. Technical preplanning considered the ideal proximal landing zone to be close to the origin of the almost occluded celiac trunk and the distal common iliac arteries as the ideal distal landing zone. The total length of the aorta to cover was estimated as >180 mm, requiring 2 aortic EVAS systems, bilaterally overlapped. Technical success was achieved, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 in good general condition. Successful aneurysm exclusion and target vessel patency without endoleak or stent-graft kinking or migration were confirmed at angio-computed tomography at 6 months

Sugarcane burning and perspectives for harvesters in Macatuba, São Paulo

A lei nº 11.241/2002 do estado de São Paulo proíbe a queima de cana-de-açúcar pré-colheita devido ao alto impacto que a fumaça desse processo causa na saúde coletiva e no meio ambiente. De modo gradativo, a previsão inicial era de que a proibição fosse efetiva em 2031. Posteriormente, acordo entre governo do Estado e União da Indústria de Cana-de-açúcar (Unica), estabeleceu redução do prazo para 2017. A cana-de-açúcar, quando não queimada, exige muito mais esforço dos cortadores, diminuindo a produtividade do corte manual em comparação às máquinas colheitadeiras. A ausência das queimadas traz benefícios à saúde e ao meio ambiente, no entanto, pouco ainda se sabe a respeito das consequências da mecanização para a mão de obra rural nos canaviais. Este artigo busca analisar esse quadro de incerteza sobre o que ocorrerá do ponto de vista dos cortadores de cana e o reconhecimento das consequências da lei em suas vidas. Durante a safra de cana de 2006, foram aplicados questionários a 40 cortadores de cana, de diferentes idades e gênero, no bairro Jardim América, em Macatuba-SP, em suas casas ou na rua. Perguntas qualitativas e quantitativas que abordavam temas socioeconômicos, de saúde, reconhecimento da lei e perspectivas de trabalho. Os entrevistados apresentaram um dilema entre o ar limpo e a perspectiva de trabalho. Muitos se apresentaram indecisos e sem incentivos a trabalhar em outros setores, apesar de grande parte gostar do local onde vive e se interessar por continuar a trabalhar na agriculturaLaw no. 11241/2002 of the State of São Paulo prohibits sugarcane burning before harvest because of its high environmental and health impacts. Initially, burning should be gradually eliminated by 2031. Later, an agreement between the State Government and the Sugarcane Industry Union reduced this deadline to 2017. Sugarcane harvesting without burning requires more effort and reduces labor productivity, favoring the adoption of mechanical harvest. The absence of burning favors health and the environment; however, little is known about what will happen to harvesters as a consequence of the introduction of mechanical harvesters. This article aims to analyze this picture of uncertainties about what will happen to this population based on their point of view. During the sugarcane harvest period in 2006, questionnaires were administered to 40 harvesters, of different ages and genders, at their homes or on the street, in the Jardim America neighborhood, in Macatuba, State of São Paulo. Questions referred to social and economic aspects of their lives, health, knowledge of the Law and work perspectives. Interviewed workers presented a dilemma between clean air and work perspectives. Many of them do not receive incentives to work in other sectors, in spite of the fact that most of them like the city where they live and are interested in continuing to develop agricultural activitiesProjeto financiado pelo CNPq, como bolsa de Produtividade em Pesquisa 1C e bolsa de Iniciação Científic

Comparison of Online Platforms for the Review Process of Conference Paper

[EN] Organizing conferences requires the consideration of several aspects, such as the choice of the most appropriate platform to manage the received papers or the conference location, among others. To this goal, we are going to compare some of the most important review platforms, which allow us to host our conferences. In recent years,new systems based on software applications have emerged. This software can be downloaded from the developer websites. These give us more options to choose from. Keeping in mind some of the most important review platforms, we are going to compare the services that each one offers, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, we are going to show several statistics about the use of these platforms during recent years. This work can help the conference organizers choose the most appropriate platform to manage their conference.Parra, L.; Sendra, S.; Ficarelli, S.; Lloret, J. (2013). Comparison of Online Platforms for the Review Process of Conference Paper. IARIA XPS Press. 16-22. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/191354162

Metábole para Trompete, Trombone, Percussão e Piano (1994) de Mário Ficarelli: Um Comentário Crítico pelo Autor

Este trabalho homenageia o poeta Mário Quintana, de quem há muito sou grande admirador, pela simplicidade, jovialidade e verdadeira poesia no sentido mais amplo que se possa entender quando se pronuncia o seu nome. Metábole é a designação que os gregos utilizavam para indicar qualquer mudança rítmica ou melódica no decurso de uma composição. Esta composição é inspirada no conjunto da obra de Quintana. E o título dado, mais do que ao seu aspecto musical, refere-se à arte do poeta. A morte de Mário Quintana, ocorrida a 5 de maio, foi coincidente com a encomenda de um trabalho que mal acabara de receber e cuja proposta me oferecia um conjunto de até dez instrumentos. Não tive dúvidas em juntar as coisas. A opção pelos metais e a percussão parecia-me mais heróica para celebrar a passagem do poeta - o piano atuaria como unificador harmônico e principalmente rítmico-percussivo para criar, por sua vez, o clima propício ao discurso dos demais instrumentos. O material básico está calcado em uma série, utilizando seus quatro modos, transposições e intercambiamentos

Defensive towers and river territories: water architecture in the Zhujiang river basin, Guangdong

[EN] The contribution intends to provide a reading and an in-depth study of the defensive heritage located in the Zhujiang river basin and its delta in Guangdong, China. The paper focuses on the case of diaolou, defensive towers already listed as UNESCO since 2007, built from the sixteenth century until the first half of the twentieth century in Kaiping country. These buildings show an interesting mixture of some local models and typologies and specific characters and styles borrowed from western examples. The research takes as a privileged point of view the relationships that these settlement systems forge with the hydrographic resource, which generates a territorial groove that determines the morphology of the territory and constitutes a historical vehicle of crossings. The arrangement of the fortified towers with respect to the river line is influenced by centripetal and centrifugal actions aimed at responding to defensive needs in the geography of this territory. The heritage of the diaolou seems to respond to two types of defensive demands: one linked to historical facts and the frequent bandit raids that took place in the Guangdong area in the nineteenth century; the other connected to geographical and hydraulic data, as the protection from the phenomenon of inundation and the consequent placement of the towers in the floodplain of the Zhujiang river. The course of the river gets in shape through the architectural technique, in the construction of towers and defensive works and, in the same way, some aspects of the design of this territory are defined through the description of the forms of the river. Architecture, hydraulic engineering and geography work together in defining the form of the settlement and invest the scale of the buildings, generating specific architectural types and morphological characters suitable for responding to the problem of water control, conservation and distribution.Ficarelli, L.; Vacca, V. (2020). Torri difensive e territori fluviali: architetture d’acque nel bacino del fiume Zhujiang, Guangdong. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 907-914. https://doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2020.2020.11529OCS90791

Percepção Ambiental em três Contos da Obra de Émile Zola

Émile Zola (1840-1902), romancista francês, inaugurou em seu país uma corrente literária chamada Naturalismo, em 1880. Verifica-se em sua obra a constante e profunda descrição da manifestação de agentes naturais em diversas narrativas, criando palco essencial para dar base às emoções e ações dos personagens. Ao resgatar seu contexto histórico-cultural, o artigo se aprofunda nas causas desta preocupação, identificada em três contos diferentes, que contribuem e remontam ao conceito de “percepção ambiental”, categoria formulada pelo Ambientalismo contemporâneo que busca compreender as novas perspectivas da relação “ser humano – natureza

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Adipose-Derived Stem Cell (ADSC) Therapy in the Treatment of Genital Lichen Sclerosus: A Comprehensive Review

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis mostly localized in the genital area, characterized by vulvar alterations that can severely impact a patient's quality of life. Current treatment modalities often provide incomplete relief, and there is a need for innovative approaches to manage this condition effectively. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as potential regenerative therapies for LS, offering promising results in clinical practice. This comprehensive review explores the utilization of PRP and ADSC therapy in the treatment of genital LS, highlighting their mechanisms of action, safety profiles, and clinical outcomes. PRP is a blood product enriched in growth factors and cytokines, which promotes tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and immune modulation. ADSC regenerative potential relies not only in their plasticity but also in the secretion of trophic factors, and modulation of the local immune response. Numerous studies have reported the safety of PRP and ADSC therapy for genital LS. Adverse events are minimal and typically involve mild, self-limiting symptoms, such as transient pain and swelling at the injection site. Long-term safety data are encouraging, with no significant concerns identified in the literature. PRP and ADSC therapy have demonstrated significant improvements in LS-related symptoms, including itching, burning, dyspareunia, and sexual function. Additionally, these therapies enable many patients to discontinue the routine use of topical corticosteroids. Several studies have explored the efficacy of combining PRP and ADSC therapy for LS. In combination, PRP and ADSCs seem to offer a synergistic approach to address the complex pathophysiology of LS, particularly in the early stages. The use of PRP and ADSC therapy for genital lichen sclerosus represents a promising and safe treatment modality. These regenerative approaches have shown significant improvements in LS-related symptoms, tissue trophism, and histological features. Combination therapy, which harnesses the synergistic effects of PRP and ADSCs, is emerging as a preferred option, especially in early-stage LS cases. Further research, including randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up, is warranted to elucidate the full potential and mechanisms of PRP and ADSC therapy in the management of genital LS. These regenerative approaches hold great promise in enhancing the quality of life of individuals suffering from this challenging condition