Opus Igora Kuljerića s naglaskom na djela za udaraljke posebice Toccatu i Koncert za Ivanu

My goal is to give a better perspective and understanding of percussion music of Igor Kuljerić through the study of his biography and opus, creating a general catalogue of his pieces, (examining the treatment of percussion in orchestral, choral and chamber settings) and finally, through the analysis of Kuljerić’s two pieces featured on the program of my Masters graduation-recital: Toccata for Vibraphone and Piano and Concerto for Ivana for Marimba and Orchestra. My approach will take into consideration several elements: historical context, music form, harmony, melody, instrumental technique and several remarks and thoughts from the performer’s point of view.Cilj ovog rada jest pružiti bolji uvid i razumijevanje glazbe za udaraljke skladatelja Igora Kuljerića kroz proučavanje njegove biografije i opusa, kreiranja općeg kataloga njegovih skladbi (istražujući njegov tretman udaraljki u orkestalnom, zborskom i komornom postavu) te, konačno, kroz analizu dvije Kuljerićeve skladbe: Toccata za vibrafon i Koncert za Ivanu za marimbu i orkestar. Pristupajući tematici, autor je uzeo u obzir nekoliko elemenata: historijski kontekst, glazbenu formu, harmoniju, melodiju, instrumentalnu tehniku i neka zapažanja i misli s gledišta izvođača

Opus Igora Kuljerića s naglaskom na djela za udaraljke posebice Toccatu i Koncert za Ivanu

My goal is to give a better perspective and understanding of percussion music of Igor Kuljerić through the study of his biography and opus, creating a general catalogue of his pieces, (examining the treatment of percussion in orchestral, choral and chamber settings) and finally, through the analysis of Kuljerić’s two pieces featured on the program of my Masters graduation-recital: Toccata for Vibraphone and Piano and Concerto for Ivana for Marimba and Orchestra. My approach will take into consideration several elements: historical context, music form, harmony, melody, instrumental technique and several remarks and thoughts from the performer’s point of view.Cilj ovog rada jest pružiti bolji uvid i razumijevanje glazbe za udaraljke skladatelja Igora Kuljerića kroz proučavanje njegove biografije i opusa, kreiranja općeg kataloga njegovih skladbi (istražujući njegov tretman udaraljki u orkestalnom, zborskom i komornom postavu) te, konačno, kroz analizu dvije Kuljerićeve skladbe: Toccata za vibrafon i Koncert za Ivanu za marimbu i orkestar. Pristupajući tematici, autor je uzeo u obzir nekoliko elemenata: historijski kontekst, glazbenu formu, harmoniju, melodiju, instrumentalnu tehniku i neka zapažanja i misli s gledišta izvođača

Modelling the development and arrangement of the primary vascular structure in plants

Background and Aims The process of vascular development in plants results in the formation of a specific array of bundles that run throughout the plant in a characteristic spatial arrangement. Although much is known about the genes involved in the specification of procambium, phloem and xylem, the dynamic processes and interactions that define the development of the radial arrangement of such tissues remain elusive. Methods This study presents a spatially explicit reaction-diffusion model defining a set of logical and functional rules to simulate the differentiation of procambium, phloem and xylem and their spatial patterns, starting from a homogeneous group of undifferentiated cells. Key Results Simulation results showed that the model is capable of reproducing most vascular patterns observed in plants, from primitive and simple structures made up of a single strand of vascular bundles (protostele), to more complex and evolved structures, with separated vascular bundles arranged in an ordered pattern within the plant section (e.g. eustele). Conclusions The results presented demonstrate, as a proof of concept, that a common genetic-molecular machinery can be the basis of different spatial patterns of plant vascular development. Moreover, the model has the potential to become a useful tool to test different hypotheses of genetic and molecular interactions involved in the specification of vascular tissue

Modelling Lobbying Behaviour and Interdisciplinarity Dynamics in Academia

Disciplinary diversity is being recognized today as the key to establish a vibrant academic environment with bigger potential for breakthroughs in research and technology. However, the interaction of several factors including policies, and behavioral attitudes put significant barriers on advancing interdisciplinarity. A "cognitive rigidity" may rise due to reactive academic lobbying favouring inbreeding. Here, we address, analyse and discuss a mathematical model of lobbying and interdisciplinarity dynamics in Academia. The model consists of four coupled non-linear Ordinary Differential Equations simulating the interaction between three types of academic individuals and a state reflecting the rate of knowledge advancement which is related to the level of disciplinary diversity. Our model predicts a rich nonlinear behaviour including multiplicity of states and sustained periodic oscillations resembling the everlasting struggle between the "new" and the "old". The effect of a control policy that inhibits lobbying is also studied. By appropriate adjustment of the model parameters we approximated the jump/phase transitions in breakthroughs in mathematical and molecular biological sciences resulted by the increased flow of Russian scientists in the USA after the dissolution of the Soviet Union starting in 1989, the launch of the Human Genome Project in 1992 and the Internet diffusion starting in 2000

An agricultural system in a hostile environment: the Late Roman site of Umm al-Dabadib - Kharga Oasis (Egypt)

Funded by an ERC consolidator Grant, focuses on archaeological and environmental methodology used to investigate a chain of Late Roman fortified settlements of the Kharga Oasis, located in Egypt’s Western Desert, that in the Fourth Century AD represented a portion of the southern boundary of the Roman empire. The best-preserved site is Umm al-Dabadib containing the virtually intact remains of an imposing settlement with a vast and elaborated agricultural system. The site fully represents the struggle between man and environment on a knife edge. Ancient Roman centuriatio (field division), subterranean aqueducts (qanat), covered conduits, open-air canals, outlines of fields are studied using a combination of classic and innovative investigation techniques (3D survey, archaeological excavations of the built-up area and the agricultural system, archaeobotanical analyses, ceramic studies, analyses of satellite images)

Adult conspecific density affects Janzen-Connell patterns by modulating the recruitment exclusion zones

Plant-soil negative feedback (NF) is a well-established phenomenon that, by preventing the dominance of a single species, allows species coexistence and promotes the maintenance of biodiversity. At community scale, localized NF may cause the formation of exclusion zones under adult conspecifics leading to Janzen-Connell (JC) distribution. In this study, we explore the connection between adult density, either conspecifics or heterospecifics, on the probability of occurrence of JC distributions. Using an individual-based modelling approach, we simulated the formation of exclusion zones due to the build-up of NF in proximity of conspecific adult plants and assessed the frequency of JC distribution in relation to conspecifics and heterospecifics density ranging from isolated trees to closed forest stands. We found that JC recruitment distribution is very common in the case of an isolated tree when NF was strong and capable to form an exclusion zone under the parent tree. At very low NF intensity, a prevalence of the decreasing pattern was observed because, under such conditions, the inhibitory effect due to the presence of the mother tree was unable to overcome the clustering effect of the seed dispersal kernel. However, if NF is strong the JC frequency suddenly decreases in stands with a continuous conspecific cover likely as a result of progressive expansion of the exclusion zone surrounding all trees in closed forest stands. Finally, our simulations showed that JC distribution should not be frequent in the case of rare species immersed in a matrix of heterospecific adults. Overall, the model shows that a plant suffering from strong NF in monospecific stands can rarely exhibit a recruitment pattern fitting the JC model. Such counterintuitive results would provide the means to reconcile the well-established NF framework with part the forest ecologists’ community that is still skeptical towards the JC model.SynthesisOur model highlights the complex interconnection between NF intensity, stand density, and recruitment patterns explaining where and why the JC distribution occurs. Moreover, predicting the occurrence of JC in relation to stand density we clarify the relevance of this ecological phenomenon for future integration in plant community frameworks

The effects of a Meso-Alpine collision event on the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Peloritani mountain belt (eastern Sicily, southern Italy)

AbstractThe Peloritani Mountains, in the southern part of the Calabrian Terranes, southern Italy, have been classically interpreted as the product of the Paleogene brittle deformation of the European continental back-stop of the Neotethyan subduction complex. This reconstruction conflicts with the occurrence of an Alpine metamorphic overprint that affected portions of both the Variscan metamorphic units and part of the Mesozoic sedimentary covers of the mountain belt. New field data, integrated with petrographic, micro- and meso-structural analyses and stratigraphic investigation of the syn-tectonic terrigenous covers, well constrain a Paleogene collision event along the Africa–Nubia convergent margin that caused the exhumation of the Alpine metamorphic units of the Peloritani Mountains. The syn-collisional exhumation was associated with shearing along two major Africa-verging crustal thrusts arising from the positive tectonic inversion of the former European palaeomargin. Early tectonic motions occurred within the mountain belts and produced the exhumation of the external portions of the edifice. Later tectonic motions occurred along the sole-thrust of the entire edifice and caused the definitive exhumation of the entire mountain belt. The whole crustal thrusting lasted for a period ofc. 10 Ma, during the entire Oligocene. The definitive southwestward emplacement of the Peloritani Mountain Belt onto the Neotethyan accretionary wedge was followed by two Late Oligocene – Early Miocene NW–SE-oriented right lateral shear zones, replacing the previous crustal thrust. These two strike-slip belts are interpreted as the surface expression of the deep-seated suture zone between the colliding Africa and Europe continental crusts

Assessment of fit on ten screw-retained frameworksrealized through digital full-arch implant impression

Background: Discordant opinions have emerged among clinicians and researchers regard-ing a digital impression for full-arch implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). The purpose of this study was to assess the fit of screw-retained milled frameworks on six implants realized from digital impressions through the Sheffield test. Methods: One patient received a maxillary full-arch implant-supported FDP. Six months after the surgical procedure, ten intraoral full-arch digital impressions were performed to mill ten frameworks. To clinically assess the fit, the Sheffield test was applied for all frameworks. The gaps among the frameworks and the implant analogs were measured using a microscope on the master model realized with a traditional impression. The Wilcoxon sum-rank test was used to compare the misfit value among the different implant positions. Results: The Sheffield test did not show gaps in the framework–implant interfaces when the screw was completely tightened on the more distal implant for all the milled frameworks. The mean misfit value calculated after microscope examination was 38 ± 5 µm. Differences that were statistically significant emerged when the misfit values of central positions were compared with other values. Conclusions: The use of full-arch implant digital impressions represents a viable alternative to traditional impressions for the fabrication of implant-supported FDPs

Study of alteration and degradation products of a Roman marble sarcophagus located in the medieval cloister of the old st Cosimato’s Convent, now the new "Regina Margherita Hospital” (Rome)

Optical and SEM-EDS microscopy, FT-IR and mFT-IR spectroscopy investigations have been applied to the study of alteration and degradation products of a Roman sarcophagus located in the medieval cloister of St Cosimato’s Convent, now the new “Regina Margherita Hospital” (Rome) before restoration work. This scientific analysis was performed in order to compare it with a diagnosis report based on the restorer’s expertise. The sarcophagus is small and consists of a single block of fine-grained marble covered by a thick pink patina. The results obtained from this diagnostic investigation, allow us to draw important conclusions about the state of conservation of this archaeological artefact. The main components found in the samples analyzed are: black crust, calcium oxalate, organic matter due to recent conservation treatment, calcite, iron-oxides and coloured earths. In particular, the combined used of petrographical and mFT-IR analysis provided useful insights into the polishing and consolidation processes of archaeological artefacts

Nondestructive Raman investigation on wall paintings at Sala Vaccarini in Catania (Sicily)

In this work, the results of a Raman campaign for studying seventeenth-century Sicilian frescoes, by using two portable Raman systems, equipped with different excitation sources (785 and 1064 nm), are proposed. The measurements were performed with the aim to provide an in situ diagnostic analysis of the wall paintings (in terms of colorants and preparation layer) and to support the conservators in the framework of the ongoing restoration. The combined use of the two Raman spectrometers has given a complete overview on the artist palette and on the state of preservation of frescoes, also informing us about the technique employed by the painter. Natural pigments as hematite, vermillion, goethite, lead red, lead white and carbon-based black pigments have been identified. Additionally, the application of a transitional Romanesque-Renaissance frescoes method has been noticed by the systematic combined presence of calcite and gypsum in the substrate. Finally, the analyses have highlighted the presence of degradation products, mainly related to alteration of lead-based pigments