Geo-archaeology of the Roman palaeosurface of Sena Gallica (Senigallia, Italy)

ABSTRACTSena Gallica (Senigallia), in the northern Marche region, was the first Roman colony on the Adriatic coast founded at the beginning of the third century BC. This research adopted an integrated approach to different information sources that combines old and new data, archaeological excavations, topographic and geophysical surveys, and geological and geomorphological analyses. The data are managed within a GIS and supported by 3D modelling. One of the results of this work is a map which represents the geomorphological setting of the Roman colony, close to the mouth of the Misa river. The settlement exploited the top-surface of the uppermost Pleistocene–early Holocene coastal fan of the Misa river, now only preserved at the apex sector truncated seaward by wave erosion. The top-surface of the fan apex, in turn, was partly re-incised by stream erosion producing a series of slight topographic mounds, which were selected for the earliest human settlement (V-IV c. BC). Some of the mounds resulted in a pr..

The strategic approach in urban regeneration: the Hamburg model

After centuries of development, port cities are nowadays involved into the post-industrial revitalization of historical waterfronts and harbors aiming to fill the gaps originated by loosing of both economical activities and identity. In this context cruise tourism has been seen, in the global port cities competition perspective, as a possibility to diversify the port city economy and to attract international investments. Cruise industry has profited of such urban regeneration, exploiting the abandoned areas and the coastal structures for new cruise terminals and tourists related services but, often, in a merely aesthetic-design approach. After a review of literature on cruise tourism evolution and impacts, and passing through citizens' opposition actions, we examine in detail the Hamburg experience in its transformation, both in governance and physical aspect, from commercial port city to international cruise hub. In particular this experience was able to canalize the cruise tourism growing trend from a global economic phenomenon to a topic of the creative city's strategic choices and to implement them, in addition, by urban and strategic planning tools as well as city marketing. The Hamburg experience highlights the results' quality achievable with an approach that, overcoming the design dimension, brings into play a coordinated set of multiscalar actions aiming to expande the regenerative effects of change both in spatial, social and economic field

Acoustic characterization of the ancient theatre of Tyndaris: Evaluation and proposals for its reuse

Ancient theaters are one of the most representative signs of civilization belonging to Greek culture. The origin of these structures dates back to the 5th century BC: designed for the perfect acoustics, they were used at different purposes – religious ceremonies, political assembly, theatrical and musical performances – with progressive developments and diffusion outside Greece. Theaters were object of architectural modifications already in ancient epoch, during Hellenistic and Roman periods. Today, the damages due by time, atmospheric agents and invasive restorations are responsible for critic conditions of conservation of ancient theaters and, consequently, of their remarkable acoustics. Moreover, the revival of the ancient drama leaded to the reuse of ancient theaters nowadays, practice that is commonly accepted in many countries, but barely reasoned on the effective properties of their complex acoustical apparatus. In this article, the theatre of Tyndaris, in Sicily (Italy) is chosen as case study. The results of an extended measuring campaign are reported. The analysis of the theatre as geometrical model allows the comprehension of its original acoustical characteristics and the design of a scenic proposal, specifically developed to enhance the natural acoustics. This scenery is evaluated by means of an acoustic simulation tool, Odeon v.13.1. The calibration of the virtual models refers to the objective acoustic parameters, to the arrival time of the only strong early reflection (Δt) and to the Direct- to-Reflective energy Ratio (DRR). Listening tests are performed using auralizations

CD4+ T Cell Defects in a Mulibrey Patient With Specific TRIM37 Mutations

Mulibrey (muscle-liver-brain-eye) syndrome (MUL) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the TRIpartite motif (TRIM)37 gene, encoding for TRIM37 a member of the TRIM E3 ubiquitin ligase protein family. MUL patients are characterized by growth retardation, dysmorphic features, and a wide range of abnormalities affecting different organs. However, T-cell abnormalities have not been observed in MUL subjects, to date. Here we described the immunological features of a MUL child carrying recently identified TRIM37 mutations, a 17q22 deletion of maternal origin combined with a TRIM37 variant of paternal origin. Here we found quantitative and functional defects in CD4+ T cells fromthisMUL case. Low levels of TRIM37 protein were specifically detected in CD4+ T cells ofMUL patient and associated with their altered proliferation and cytokine production. Of note, both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes of MUL child displayed an effector memory phenotype compared with healthy children. This clinical case research highlighted the possible role of TRIM37 in the control of immune cell number and function, especially in CD4+ T cells. Finally, this study may contribute to the novel mechanistic studies aim of identifying, in depth, the role of the TRIM37 protein in the immune system

Role of IL-1 Beta in the Development of Human TH17 Cells: Lesson from NLPR3 Mutated Patients

T helper 17 cells (T(H)-17) represent a lineage of effector T cells critical in host defence and autoimmunity. In both mouse and human IL-1β has been indicated as a key cytokine for the commitment to T(H)-17 cells. Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) are a group of inflammatory diseases associated with mutations of the NLRP3 gene encoding the inflammasome component cryopyrin. In this work we asked whether the deregulated secretion of IL-1β secondary to mutations characterizing these patients could affect the IL-23/IL-17 axis.A total of 11 CAPS, 26 systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) patients and 20 healthy controls were analyzed. Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-6 serum were assessed by ELISA assay. Frequency of T(H)17 cells was quantified upon staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) stimulation. Secretion of IL-1β, IL-23 and IL-6 by monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDCs), were quantified by ELISA assay. A total of 8 CAPS and 11 SoJIA patients were also analysed before and after treatment with IL-1β blockade. Untreated CAPS patients showed significantly increased IL-17 serum levels as well as a higher frequency of T(H)17 compared to control subjects. On the contrary, SoJIA patients displayed a frequency of T(H)17 similar to normal donors, but were found to have significantly increased serum level of IL-6 when compared to CAPS patients or healthy donors. Remarkably, decreased IL-17 serum levels and T(H)17 frequency were observed in CAPS patients following in vivo IL-1β blockade. On the same line, MoDCs from CAPS patients exhibited enhanced secretion of IL-1β and IL-23 upon TLRs stimulation, with a reduction after anti-IL-1 treatment.These findings further support the central role of IL-1β in the differentiation of T(H)17 in human inflammatory conditions

Il territorio comunale di Ostra in età romana

Nel contributo si è deciso di presentare una selezione di otto frammenti diagnostici dacenti parte di un gruppo eterogeneo di materiali rinvenuti in varie zone del territorio pertinente a Ostra.Seppur decontestualizzati e in numero esiguo, questi oggetti, appartenenti alle classi della Terra Sigillata Italica, delle Pareti Sottili, della Ceramica da Cucina, delle Anfore e del Vetro, ci possono dare delle informazioni utili per cercare di ricostruire, o quantomeno di ipotizzare, alcune delle fasi di vita di Ostra in età antica

Il territorio comunale di Ostra in et\ue0 romana

Nel contributo si \ue8 deciso di presentare una selezione di otto frammenti diagnostici dacenti parte di un gruppo eterogeneo di materiali rinvenuti in varie zone del territorio pertinente a Ostra.Seppur decontestualizzati e in numero esiguo, questi oggetti, appartenenti alle classi della Terra Sigillata Italica, delle Pareti Sottili, della Ceramica da Cucina, delle Anfore e del Vetro, ci possono dare delle informazioni utili per cercare di ricostruire, o quantomeno di ipotizzare, alcune delle fasi di vita di Ostra in et\ue0 antica

The strategic approach in urban regeneration: the Hamburg model

After centuries of development, port cities are nowadays involved into the post-industrial revitalization of historical waterfronts and harbors aiming to fill the gaps originated by loosing of both economical activities and identity. In this context cruise tourism has been seen, in the global port cities competition perspective, as a possibility to diversify the port city economy and to attract international investments. Cruise industry has profited of such urban regeneration, exploiting the abandoned areas and the coastal structures for new cruise terminals and tourists related services but, often, in a merely aesthetic-design approach. After a review of literature on cruise tourism evolution and impacts, and passing through citizens' opposition actions, we examine in detail the Hamburg experience in its transformation, both in governance and physical aspect, from commercial port city to international cruise hub. In particular this experience was able to canalize the cruise tourism growing trend from a global economic phenomenon to a topic of the creative city's strategic choices and to implement them, in addition, by urban and strategic planning tools as well as city marketing. The Hamburg experience highlights the results' quality achievable with an approach that, overcoming the design dimension, brings into play a coordinated set of multiscalar actions aiming to expande the regenerative effects of change both in spatial, social and economic fiel

A case of symptomatic intramesenteric accessory spleen: The diagnostic role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Introduction: Accessory spleen is a congenital defect characterised by a separated ectopic splenic parenchyma usually located in the splenic hilum and the tail of the pancreas. It is present in about 10%-30% of the population and, generally, does not cause any symptoms. Case report: We report an interesting case of a woman with symptomatic intramesenteric accessory spleen detected and characterised by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The patient experienced a long history of intermittent pain in the left upper abdomen. The diagnosis was confirmed by post-operative pathology examination. Discussion: Accessory spleen usually appears as a well-circumscribed ovoid mass, 1-3 cm in diameter, infrequently located in the mesentery. It may rarely become symptomatic because of complications. Diagnosis of this condition as a cause of abdominal is difficult and rarely has been made pre-operatively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging might help, but they should be performed with intravenous contrast injection, and they cannot provide direct evidence between the pain of the patient and the lesion. Conversely, real-time ultrasound can assess and diagnose the lesion showing the exact correspondence with abdominal pain of the patient. Furthermore, ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are widely available, safe and relatively inexpensive. Conclusion: Apart from the rarity of this condition, this case report demonstrates the ability of ultrasound to localise the intramesenteric accessory spleen, assess the relationship between the lesion and the symptoms of the patient, and characterise the lesion

Archeologia urbana a Senigallia III: i nuovi dati dall’area archeologica “La Fenice”

In the context of the Senigallia Urban Archaeological Project, started in 2010, a new archaeological survey was carried out in February 2013 within the archaeological area of the “Teatro La Fenice", which had been interested by previous extensive excavations between 1990 and 2000. The realization of new targeted stratigraphical inspections and of some handheld core-drills led to a better understanding of the deeper layers, favouring a chronological review of the earliest occupation phases of this sector. In fact, the area, characterized by crossing two urban roads and at least three canonical atrium domus, can be now dated at the end of the third century BC. Also, the new research attested a large reclaim land operation in the second half of the second century BC, which caused the increasing of the all the domus’ floors, as well as the raising and displacement of the road axis NW-SE and the construction of a new logline. The recent discoveries allow us to define the main guidelines of the original project design at the base of the colony of Sena Gallica. Integrating the new data from the “Teatro La Fenice” with the recent discoveries from Via Baroccio, concerning the Roman city walls and a sanctuary with two sacella, is now possible to propose a reliable reconstruction of this important southern sector of the roman city