A fianco del padrone. Tipologie e simbolismi del cane sui monumenti funerari attici d'età classica

ItIl presente contributo si propone di analizzare le differenti tipologie canine raffigurate sui monumenti funerari attici del periodo classico, al fine di delinearne modalità di impiego e valenze simboliche. Dopo un primo esame dei fenotipi etnici dei cani, l'analisi incrociata degli esemplari presenti sui monumenti funerari a rilievo e su quelli a tuttotondo ha permesso di effettuare una prima selezione delle categorie canine rappresentate, portando a identificare almeno tre tipologie ricorrenti: una cane di tipo Spitz, un cane di tipo Podenco e un cane Molosso. Si è proceduto poi a un'analisi delle relazioni intercorrenti fra tali cani e le tipologie di monumenti a cui questi risultano legati, nonché delle (eventuali) associazioni fra questi animali e specifiche categorie umane. Le conclusioni raggiunte hanno permesso di individuare una logica apparentemente stringente nella scelta e nell'impiego delle sopraddette tipologie, portando a formulare anche alcune possibili interpretazioni circa le ragioni ideologiche sottostanti all'impiego del cane nell'arte funeraria attica d'età classica.EnThe aim of this paper is to analyze the different types of dogs represented on Attic funerary monuments of classical period (V-IV century B.C.), in order to outline their artistic employment and their symbolic meanings. After the examination of the phenotypes of dog races, the crossanalysis of the specimens on funerary monuments (reliefs and statues) allowed us to make a first selection of the canine categories represented, leading to identify at least three types of dogs: a Spitz dog type, a Podenco dog type and a Molossian dog. The research proceeded then into a study of the relationships among these dogs and the typologies of monuments, as well as their (eventual) associations with human categories. The conclusions allowed us to define a compelling logic in the selection and use of the dogs, leading us to formulate some possible interpretations concerning the ideological reasons in the representation of these animals in Attic funerary art of classical age

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

Experimental observations on sorting patterns of heterogeneous sediment mixtures in low constrained flows

Field and laboratory investigations indicate that gravel bed rivers with bimodal grain size distribution and low lateral confinement, such as in the case of braided or multi-channel rivers, can present simultaneously active channel variations, both in the planimetric and altimetric directions, together with planimetric and vertical sorting. Such aspects were reproduced in new flume experiments considering three flow confinements with characteristic aspect ratios from about 80 to 5. Three long runs of about 60 hours were carried out under constant feeding rate conditions, with a bimodal mixture of natural sediments, a fixed flume slope of 3.18 %, and width imposed by lateral walls from 0.50 m to 0.12 m. We present here the results obtained with the first run, with a width of 0.5 m. We observed fluctuations of bed surface granulometric composition, bed slope, and outlet solid discharge; each of which with its own periodicity. In particular, the rearrangement of the bed surface texture was rapid. Cyclic bed states were observed: a stage of coarsening and aggradation corresponding to low values of outlet solid discharge; a stage of fining and degradation concomitant to high values of transport rate. The other two on-going runs (narrower configurations) aim at investigate the effect of lateral confinement on the morphodynamics of the system

Experimental observations on sorting patterns of heterogeneous sediment mixtures in low constrained flows

Field and laboratory investigations indicate that gravel bed rivers with bimodal grain size distribution and low lateral confinement, such as in the case of braided or multi-channel rivers, can present simultaneously active channel variations, both in the planimetric and altimetric directions, together with planimetric and vertical sorting. Such aspects were reproduced in new flume experiments considering three flow confinements with characteristic aspect ratios from about 80 to 5. Three long runs of about 60 hours were carried out under constant feeding rate conditions, with a bimodal mixture of natural sediments, a fixed flume slope of 3.18 %, and width imposed by lateral walls from 0.50 m to 0.12 m. We present here the results obtained with the first run, with a width of 0.5 m. We observed fluctuations of bed surface granulometric composition, bed slope, and outlet solid discharge; each of which with its own periodicity. In particular, the rearrangement of the bed surface texture was rapid. Cyclic bed states were observed: a stage of coarsening and aggradation corresponding to low values of outlet solid discharge; a stage of fining and degradation concomitant to high values of transport rate. The other two on-going runs (narrower configurations) aim at investigate the effect of lateral confinement on the morphodynamics of the system

An unruptured aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery presenting with meningitis

We report a rare case of unruptured intracranial aneurysm presenting with meningitis. The patient showed symptoms and signs of meningitis without focal neurological deficit. A large PICA aneurysm compressing the medulla was diagnosed. The aneurysm was successfully clipped with remodeling of the parent artery, and the patient had an excellent recovery. Meningitic presentation of an unruptured aneurysmis unusual and may be misleading. On the basis of histopathological and clinical findings, we hypothesized a secondary infection of a berry aneurysm. Aggressive microsurgical strategy resulted in complete occlusion of the aneurysm and parent vessel preservation with brainstem relief and excellent outcome

Ganglion cyst of the ligamentum flavum: a rare cause of cervical spinal cord compression. A case report.

Ganglion cysts of the ligamentum flavum are uncommon degenerative spinal lesions and are mostly encountered in the lumbar spine. Cervical localisation is rare and may cause severe myelopathy. They accompany degenerative changes of the spine and can be differentiated from synovial and other degenerative spinal cysts on the basis of location and histopathological features. Ganglion cysts of the ligamentum flavum are unusual extradural spinal lesions and most have been reported in the lumbar region. Cervical localisation is an extremely rare cause of myelopathy and, to our knowledge, only three cases have been reported.1 2 Differentiation of ganglion cysts of the ligamentum flavum from other degenerative spinal cysts is still debated.1e4 We report a case of ganglion cyst of the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine, presenting as progressive tetraparesis due to severe spinal cord compression

Vulnerability Assessment of Art Collections: The National Archaeological Museum “Gaio Cilnio Mecenate” in Arezzo (Italy)

Artworks play a fundamental role in the cultural and economic assets of communities, enhancing their identity and helping with social integration. Despite their importance, they are not always adequately protected against degradation, which can be induced by aging, atmospheric and human-induced occurrences, and catastrophic events. Earthquakes certainly represent one of the main risks for art objects; however, traffic, construction works, and shipment can also represent a threat to art goods. Therefore, the assessment of the vulnerability of art collections to dynamic excitations plays a crucial role in their conservation, and it has been collecting increasing attention from researchers, academics, and museum managers. This work focuses on the vulnerability of the art collections exhibited at the “Gaio Cilnio Mecenate” museum in Arezzo. Namely, it aims to assess the effective dynamic loading experienced by the artworks, which is a function of the dynamic propagation played by the foundation soil, the building, and the displayers used for the exhibition. In this study, the dynamic properties of some of the displayers used for exhibiting the art collections are investigated by performing an experimental survey. The analysis of the experimental data led to the assessment of the proper frequencies of the displayers, which were compared to those of the building and the foundation soil of the museum