Il ninfeo di Egeria (II sec. d.C.) e la grotta degli Animali a Castello. Il ruolo del modello antico attraverso l’analisi dei disegni del GDSU

The Grotta degli Animali at the Medicean Villa in Castello is one of the most famous artificial grottoes of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its building history is quite complex because it underwent many changes, led by three different architects over a period of approximately twenty years, until its final configuration under Giorgio Vasari. The research looks into the relationship between the Florentine Grotto and its reference model: the Nymphaeum of Egeria along the Via Appia (2nd century A.D.), which was rediscovered during the third decade of the 16th century and subsequently measured by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and Sallustio Peruzzi, whose drawings are preserved at Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe degli Uffizi (GDSU). These drawings have been analysed to provide items matching the Medicean Grotto; in particular the survey has been carried out in comparison with another anonymous drawing, representing a planimetric study for the Grotta degli Animali. The inspection of this important document (also through digital acquisition and re-elaboration) shows architectural features that are evocative of the ‘ancient model’ which was partially obliterated by Vasari’s project

Le limonaie della villa medicea di Castello e il giardino antistante la grotta degli Animali

The aim of this article is to present the new studies carried out on the “Limonaie” of Villa Castello. A part of the work concerned the investigation of the iconographic documentation kept in the State Archives of Florence, where it was possible to find important unpublished data on the design genesis of the “Limonaie” between the 18th and 19th centuries, which in the current configuration includes a greater “Limonaia” and two opposing minor “Limonaie”.A laser scanner survey campaign has also been specifically designed, involving the three “Limonaie” and the part of the garden between them. On the basis of this 3D model, plans, sections and elevations were developed and studied, obtaining new considerations on building features, decorative elements and the relationships between these architectural artefacts.The correlation of the results achieved by the archival and diagnostic investigations has cast light on the realisation of the complex of the “Limonaie”, showing its peculiarities and construction phases, and this in turn has created the knowledge base for the design of future adaptations and restorations

Atlante

In order to provide exhaustive documentation concerning the “Cave of the Animals”, the atlas is composed of already known historical documents, as well as of new historical and scientific insights. In the first case, we provide some important figurative documents, fundamental from the historical point of view, regarding a long period between the beginning of the sixteenth century and the late twentieth century. In the second case, the atlas collects results of the work carried out by the GECO Lab of the University of Florence between 2013 and 2015, which illustrates the cave's complex hydraulic system and internal decorations. Regarding the photographic documentation carried out by GECO Lab, the images are the result of the processing of many photographs for obtaining overall high-resolution images. The panoramic image showing the whole Grotto in equirectangular projection is composed of 126 photographs, whereas the images of the basins are represented in a rectilinear projection in order to preserve the straight lines as in a normal photograph using central projection

Consumers' Willingness to Pay for Quality and Safety in Clams

The aim of the research is to estimate the potential demand for certified clams in Italy and to investigate the determinants of maximum amount that respondents are willing to pay for this product. Quantitative analysis was used based on 1,067 face-to-face interviews collected in 3 Italian regions in the north bordering the Adriatic Sea (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna) carried out during 2008. The consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) is measured using a contingent valuation method. In order to estimate separately the determinants of the probability that respondents are willing to pay and the maximum that they are willing to pay, a generalization of Tobit model was adopted. The results indicate that consumers are willing to pay a premium price mainly to purchase better quality products. The research provides some initial insight into consumers' WTP that can be useful for certified fish farming. © 2014 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Conservation Status and Rearing Systems in Use

The ongoing loss of domestic animal breeds around the world is occurring at an alarming rate. Thus, the registration and preservation of native breeds is of great importance. The aim of this study, which forms part of a conservation program, was to provide an overview of the conservation statuses of native Italian poultry breeds being reared by local breeders in Italy. The data collected by means of a census questionnaire demonstrate the low population sizes of these breeds in Italy and highlight the need for campaigns aimed at publicizing and promoting the benefits of native breeds with the goal of increasing population sizes. Identifying strategies to facilitate breeders’ access to pure breed birds is also essential, and would require collaborative efforts of university research centers, public entities, and breeders

Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Small Scale Production and Marketing

The intensive use of high-performing strains in poultry production has led to the extinction of several autochthonous chicken breeds and, consequently, loss of genetic variability. Interest in saving biodiversity is growing rapidly and has become a major objective worldwide. The aim of this study was to shed light on the production trends of native Italian poultry breeds and the related market. A questionnaire, which asked about the production cycles, the number of animals and table eggs produced per year and their retail prices was completed by 121 breeders across Italy. The surveyed breeders were divided into two categories: breeders conducting an agrozootechnical farm, referred to as ‘farmers’ (F); and breeders keeping chickens as backyard poultry, referred to as ‘fancy breeders’ (FB). Analysis of the data acquired indicated that animals were mainly slaughtered between 6 and 12 months of age, with F processing more animals per year. The same production trend was observed for table eggs. The recorded retail prices of native chicken products were higher than those for conventional products, but similar to those reported for valuable niche poultry products, such as the Poulet de Bresse in France and organic eggs. Knowledge about these highly valuable markets should be used to encourage the use of local breeds in alternative poultry farming and help protect biodiversity

The multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib enhances glycolysis and synergizes with glycolysis blockade for cancer cell killing

Although the only effective drug against primary hepatocarcinoma, the multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib (SFB) usually fails to eradicate liver cancer. Since SFB targets mitochondria, cell metabolic reprogramming may underlie intrinsic tumor resistance. To characterize cancer cell metabolic response to SFB, we measured oxygen consumption, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP content in rat LCSC (Liver Cancer Stem Cells) -2 cells exposed to the drug. Genome wide analysis of gene expression was performed by Affymetrix technology. SFB cytotoxicity was evaluated by multiple assays in the presence or absence of metabolic inhibitors, or in cells genetically depleted of mitochondria. We found that low concentrations (2.5-5\u2005\u3bcM) of SFB had a relatively modest effect on LCSC-2 or 293\u2005T cell growth, but damaged mitochondria and increased intracellular ROS. Gene expression profiling of SFB-treated cells was consistent with a shift toward aerobic glycolysis and, accordingly, SFB cytotoxicity was dramatically increased by glucose withdrawal or the glycolytic inhibitor 2-DG. Under metabolic stress, activation of the AMP dependent Protein Kinase (AMPK), but not ROS blockade, protected cells from death. We conclude that mitochondrial damage and ROS drive cell killing by SFB, while glycolytic cell reprogramming may represent a resistance strategy potentially targetable by combination therapies