Methodological Approach to Reconstructing Lost Monuments from Archaeological Findings: The San Francesco di Castelletto Church in Genoa

Throughout history, natural hazards, wars, political changes and urban evolution have contributed to the obliteration of outstanding monuments. The study of their remains, frequently recovered as archaeological findings, can be the basis for a reconstruction of the lost structures, by way of their size, function, decoration and stylistic evolution. The present study developed a multidisciplinary approach to gather and interpret archaeological fragments and archive sources, in order to gain as much information as possible on \u201clost monuments\u201d. The approach was tested with remnants (i.e., several hundreds of marble fragments found during archaeological excavations) of the monastic complex of San Francesco di Castelletto (Genoa), which was demolished after the Napoleonic suppressions. A preliminary organisation of the sample set was attained through cataloguing shape, size, and decoration. After this, a comparison with similar complexes still existing in Genoa allowed the inference of the age and specific ornamental functions for the majority of the pieces. Surface analysis, carried out in situ (portable microscope) and on micro-samples (petrographic analysis and SEM-EDS), allowed the characterisation of the materials (e.g., assessing marble provenance and identifying pigments). As a whole, the method evolved into an operational protocol, which helped both the organisation of the archaeological findings and the reconstruction of unknown phases of the lost monument

Innovative Method and Apparatus for Deep Cleaning of Soluble Salts from Mortars and Lithic Materials

Abstract A new method improves the quality and durability of decontamination by soluble salts, compared with conventional application of wraps. The salts inside the porous material are brought in solution by soaking with distilled water, then aspired by a suction nozzle applied to the sample surface, allowing the solution to move towards the surface. Finally, the method tested on plaster samples with different suction flows is effective in the cleaning. As every surface to be cleaned could be affected by different extent of deterioration, specific flows of suctions were investigated

Análisis de los factores ambientales, de los litotipos y productos de alteración en el Cementerio Monumetal de Staglieno (Génova)

El objeto estudiado en este trabajo se encuentra en un lugar de alta importancia para el patrimonio cultural de Génova y de Italia, el Cementerio Monumental de Staglieno (figura 1). El Cementerio Monumental de Staglieno es la mayor necrópolis de Génova, inaugurado el 1 de febrero de 1851 tras la inclusión de la cuidad al imperio napoleónico, es considerado uno de los cementerios monumentales más grandes e importantes de Europa (Landi 2008). Con sus 330.000 m2, éste se sitúa entre la zona de Cadariva y Gavette, a lo largo de la carretera SS45, en la zona del Municipio IV- Génova Media Val Bisagno- en el barrio de Staglieno. En particular, se estudia la Galería Pontasso, una estructura de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX constituida por 25 arcos con una largueza total de casi cientocincuenta metros. Esta estructura está afectada por un elevado grado de humedad, siendo interesante estudiar la diferente intensidad de la meteorización de los materiales lapídeos ornamentales que la constituyen. El litotipo analizado en detalle es la oficalcita Verde Polcévera, una serpentinita con textura de brecha y venas de calcita espática. El estudio de la galería se ha realizado mediante análisis petrográficos a escalas macro, meso y micro. Se ha realizado una cartografía alterológica, las muestras obtenidas son de bajo impacto físico para las lastras, y los productos de alteración se han analizado mediante SEM-EDS y XRPD

Genome Sequence of the Native Apiculate Wine Yeast Hanseniaspora vineae T02/19AF

The use of novel yeast strains for winemaking improves quality and provides variety including subtle characteristic differences in fine wines. Here we report the first genome of a yeast strain native to Uruguay, Hanseniaspora vineae T02/19AF, which has been shown to positively contribute to aroma and wine quality.Fil: Giorello, Facundo M.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Berná, Luisa. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Greif, Gonzalo. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Camesasca, Laura. Inst. de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable; UruguayFil: Salzman, Valentina. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; Uruguay. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Karina. Universidad de la Republica. Facultad de Química; UruguayFil: Robello, Carlos. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Gaggero, Carina. Inst. de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable; UruguayFil: Aguilar, Pablo S.. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Carrau, Francisco. Sección Enología; Urugua

The Concentration of Asbestos Fibers in Bulk Samples and Its Variation with Grain Size

The aim of this work was to establish whether asbestos fibers homogeneously occur in the different fractions ground from naturally occurring asbestos lithotypes, and to calculate the contribution of fibers from each fraction to the overall concentration in the sample. Serpentinite, metabasalt, calc-schist, clay, debris material, and soil, were addressed. Grain size fractions below 20 mm were sieved at 2 mm and 0.106 mm; they were then were mechanically milled to obtain powders below 0.106 mm. The three powdered fractions were characterized using a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy following M.D. 06/09/94. The still in use (in some cases), Italian normative M.D. 161/2012 specifies that analyses must be performed on the <2 mm fraction and the concentration (mg/kg) correlated with the weight of the whole sample <20 mm. However, the fiber counts yielded asbestos concentrations 50\u201360% lower compared with total asbestos analyses according to the new R.P.D. 120/2017. Consequently, there is a need to standardize the normative worldwide regulations for the management of asbestos-containing materials, by re-evaluation of sample preparation and quantification of asbestos

METODO DI VALIDAZIONE DI TECNOLOGIE ROBOTICHE PER L’ISPEZIONE DI UN AMBIENTE NAVALE

Introduction The use of robotic technologies in ship inspections could lead to a significant reduction in costs, timing and problems related to the safety of the workplace. However, the application of autonomous systems in this field is still severely limited, both on a technological and regulatory level. It is necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of these technologies in the field to support the human surveyor. Technical features There are currently no assessment methods available to verify the effectiveness of a ship inspection carried out using robotic technologies, checking that survey outcomes are at the same quality level of those commonly attainable by a human surveyor. Therefore, according to current regulations and traditional inspection techniques, validation methodologies based on the development of test equipment and protocols have been defined, aimed at verifying both the effectiveness of a robotic technology and of the involved personnel. As an innovative and pragmatic solution, it is proposed to experimentally test these technologies in a dedicated test environment, more economical and available than a ship, though able to simulate the reality on board in a controlled and repeatable way. Modular test equipment and protocols allow varying the parameters according to the needs and robotic technologies to be examined, by using different operating stations in which it is possible to simulate the actual conditions of a survey, detecting the degradation of the structure due to corrosion phenomena, fracture and mechanical damage. Possible Applications Shipbuilding engineering; Welded structures; Ship surveys and management; Applied robotic engineering and technologies; Training of inspection personnel. Advantages Simple and inexpensive method for verifying and validating the use of robotic technologies for ship inspections; Training centre for surveyors and pilots; Meeting place for the interaction and collaboration of different technology sectors, where to develop new knowledge and set rule requirements

Nidogen-1 is a novel extracellular ligand for the NKp44 activating receptor

The release of soluble ligands of activating Natural Killer (NK) cell receptors may represent a regulatory mechanism of NK cell function both in physiologic and in pathologic conditions. Here, we identified the extracellular matrix protein Nidogen-1 (NID1) as a ligand of NKp44, an important activating receptor expressed by activated NK cells. When released as soluble molecule, NID1 regulates NK cell function by modulating NKp44-induced IFN-\u3b3 production or cytotoxicity. In particular, it also modulates IFN-\u3b3 production induced by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)-DD following NKp44 engagement. We also show that NID1 may be present at the cell surface. In this form or when bound to a solid support (bNID1), NID1 fails to induce NK cell cytotoxicity or cytokine release. However, analysis by mass spectrometry revealed that exposure to bNID1 can induce in human NK cells relevant changes in the proteomic profiles suggesting an effect on different biological processes

Black holes, gravitational waves and fundamental physics: a roadmap

The grand challenges of contemporary fundamental physics—dark matter, dark energy, vacuum energy, inflation and early universe cosmology, singularities and the hierarchy problem—all involve gravity as a key component. And of all gravitational phenomena, black holes stand out in their elegant simplicity, while harbouring some of the most remarkable predictions of General Relativity: event horizons, singularities and ergoregions. The hitherto invisible landscape of the gravitational Universe is being unveiled before our eyes: the historical direct detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of scientific exploration. Gravitational-wave astronomy will allow us to test models of black hole formation, growth and evolution, as well as models of gravitational-wave generation and propagation. It will provide evidence for event horizons and ergoregions, test the theory of General Relativity itself, and may reveal the existence of new fundamental fields. The synthesis of these results has the potential to radically reshape our understanding of the cosmos and of the laws of Nature. The purpose of this work is to present a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the relevant fields of research, summarize important open problems, and lay out a roadmap for future progress. This write-up is an initiative taken within the framework of the European Action on 'Black holes, Gravitational waves and Fundamental Physics'