The Pink Arche. The First Principle of the Posthuman Reality in the Anthropocene and SUPERFLEX’s "Pink Elements" as a Possible Representation of it

This article will argue the suitability of the Pink Elements (2019) by SUPERFLEX for representing the elementary particles of our posthuman reality, intended from a cultural perspective. Firstly, it will address the ‚bit’, deemed by some as the current arche, revealing its limits in the light of the Niche Construction Theory applied to humans. Then, I will try to demonstrate that the relational dimension corresponds to reality as we perceive it after postmodernity. Therefore, I will analyse the dynamics of the human-environment relationship in the geological era called ‚Anthropocene’ by comparing Merleau-Ponty’s perception and Morton’s hyperobjects. Finally, I will give some examples of recent artworks reflecting this relationship, synthesisable as a ‚recording of a non-deciphered text’, among which the Pink Elements will stand out as bricks capable of representing the ultimate substance of reality as the posthuman culture shows it to us

THE PLIOCENE DEPOSITS IN THE CENTRAL-EASTERN VALDELSA BASIN (FLORENCE, ITALY), REVISED THROUGH FACIES ANALYSIS AND UNCONFORMITY-BOUNDED STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS

The Valdelsa Basin is one of the widest post-collisional basins developed in central Tuscany (Italy) since the late Miocene. More than 2,000 m of upper Miocene-Quaternary deposits fill the basin and1,000 of which, ascribed to the Pliocene, crop out extensively. In previous studies these deposits have been included in poorly defined lithostratigraphic schemes, and also a detailed chronologic calibration via biostratigraphic analysis has produced few results due to the paucity of biomarkers. In this study the Pliocene deposits have been subdividedinto eleven lithofacies associations, in turn included in five unconformity-bounded stratigraphic units (synthems) spanning in age from the uppermost Zanclean to most part of Piacenzian. Lithofacies associations, defined as the recurring vertical alternance of several basic lithofacies, are in fact recognized based on both the lithologic features and the sedimentary/bio-(marine to continental molluscs) facies content which formedin specific environments. Several depositional systems activated in the basin, from alluvial to fluvio-deltaic to paralic and inner shelf systems, in response to change of sediment supply and accommodation space. The Pliocene paleogeography of the portion of the basin considered in this study was characterized by the occurrence of a structural high that separated two distinctdepositional areas in theearly stage of the basin fill. A marine (delta front to inner shelf) area developed in the central part (Certaldo-Castelfiorentino area), while an alluvial plain was forming eastward (in the S. Casciano area). During the Piacenzian the basin was characterized by the progressive filling of a shallow marine area (central part) due to the southwestward progradation of fluvio deltaic systems.&nbsp

Gerson Maceri, Mario Calvino. Biografia di un progressista utopico

Gerson Maceri, Mario Calvino.Biografia di un progressista utopico(Sanremo, Quaderni Sanremesi, 2012, 142 pp.)di Marco Innocent

Reconstruction of upper limb soft-tissue defects after sarcoma resection with free flaps: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Upper limb preservation after soft tissue sarcoma (STS) surgical excision is now the accepted gold standard and it often requires reconstruction with free flaps. The purpose of this review is to summarize current literature on upper limb reconstruction with free flaps after STS resection.METHODS: A systematic review was performed in July 2019 in PubMed and MedLine Ovid databases according to the PRISMA guidelines.RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included in the final analysis, with 132 patients. The most common diagnosis was Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma. The most frequent timing of flap coverage was immediate. The success rate was almost always 100%. The length of follow-up was reported in 11 studies with a range of 2-187 months. The most commonly reported patient-centered outcome was the MSTS Score. Based on the evidence of the literature collected, we divided the upper limb into four parts (shoulder, elbow and arm, forearm and wrist, and hand) and described the most common and functional free flaps used for reconstruction after STS resection.CONCLUSIONS: Free flaps in the treatment of STS of the upper extremity have a good overall outcome, with a low postoperative complication rate. A wide array of free flaps is available for reconstruction, and the choice of flap is based on defect size, types of tissue required, postoperative functional goal, and surgeon preference. A greater degree of standardization is needed in the reporting of patient-centered outcomes to facilitate future comparative studies