LA SCUOLA OFFICINA MECCANICA PRESSO IL VILLAGGIO MONTE DEGLI ULIVI A RIESI. RICOSTRUZIONE DI UN PROCESSO TRA ANALISI COMPOSITIVE E GRAFICO-GEOMETRICHE

Il presente contributo trae origine da una pi\uf9 ampia ricerca che ha consentito di approfondire la comprensione dei principi progettuali e geometrico-compositivi dell\u2019opera in oggetto; avvalendosi anche di un rilievo scientifico integrato che, attraverso nuove tecniche digitali applicate, ha permesso di condurre una specifica analisi grafico-geometrica sull\u2019impianto architettonico1. L\u2019edificio della scuola officina meccanica, inserito in un pi\uf9 ampio e articolato complesso edilizio2, \ue8 composto da una singolare configurazione in pianta ai diversi livelli, oggi non pi\uf9 chiaramente leggibile a causa dei numerosi interventi di trasformazione subiti. I disegni di restituzione grafica, realizzati sulla base dei rilievi architettonici, costituiscono un imprescindibile documento di consultazione che documenta l\u2019attuale distribuzione dei locali che hanno alterato l\u2019idea progettuale. Con l\u2019intento di acquisire nuovi elementi di conoscenza propedeutici a futuri interventi di restauro conservativo e a una pi\uf9 consapevole fruizione del bene, lo studio descrive ed esamina il processo progettuale dell\u2019opera, ricercando i principi ordinatori, compositivi e geometrici che ne hanno determinato la particolare struttura. Il testo \ue8 articolato in due parti: la prima sintetizza le questioni generali del progetto, dalla ideazione alla realizzazione del Villaggio Monte degli Ulivi e dell\u2019edificio della ex scuola officina meccanica; la seconda, sulla scorta dei risultati di uno studio sulle funzioni grafiche digitali applicate alla geometria, indaga la natura geometrica dei profili conici che regolano il progetto e la realizzazione dell\u2019edificio.This contribution originates from a wider research which allowed to analyse in depth both the design and geometric-compositional principles of the Scuola Officina Meccanica's building - located within the wide and structured building complex in Villaggio \u201cMonte degli Ulivi\u201d. A scientific integrated survey was also used that, thanks to newly-applied digital techniques, allowed to carry out a specific graphic-geometric analysis of the architectural layout. The study is developed in two parts. The first summarizes the general matters of the project, from the design to the realisation of both Villaggio \u201cMonte degli Ulivi\u201d and the building of the former Scuola Officina Meccanica. The second part, on the basis of the results from digital graphic functions applied to the geometry, investigates the geometric nature of the conic profiles regulating both the project and the realisation of the building

CONTROL OF MOTOR UNITS DURING VOLUNTARY FORCE-PRODUCTION: IMPLICATIONS FOR EXERCISE

We have recently developed a technology that enables studies of the firing properties of a large set (typically 30 to 40) of concurrently active motor units during isometric voluntary contractions ranging from low force levels to maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). With this technology we have executed studies to investigate the behavior of the firing rates of motor units as a function of their recruitment properties during contractions at various force levels. We found that the firing rates have a hierarchical structure wherein the firing rate value of motor units is inversely related to their recruitment threshold, with earlier recruited motor units having greater firing rates at any time and any force level during a contraction. This relationship does not support the opposite notion that has been generally held for the past five decades. Knowing the structure of the firing behavior of motor units during voluntary contractions provides guidance for understanding the performance of muscles during exercise and sports

Role of Scaffold Protein Proline-, Glutamic Acid-, and Leucine-Rich Protein 1 (PELP1) in the Modulation of Adrenocortical Cancer Cell Growth

PELP1 acts as an estrogen receptor (ER) coactivator that exerts an essential role in the ER's functions. ER coregulators have a critical role in the progression and response to hormonal treatment of estrogen-dependent tumors. We previously demonstrated that, in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), ER\u3b1 is upregulated and that estradiol activates the IGF-II/IGF1R signaling pathways defining the role of this functional cross-talk in H295R ACC cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to determine if PELP1 is expressed in ACC and may play a role in promoting the interaction between ER\u3b1 and IGF1R allowing the activation of pathways important for ACC cell growth. The expression of PELP1 was detected by Western blot analysis in ACC tissues and in H295R cells. H295R cell proliferation decrease was assessed by A3-(4,5-Dimethylthiaoly)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and [3H] thymidine incorporation. PELP1 is expressed in ACC tissues and in H295R cells. Moreover, treatment of H295R with E2 or IGF-II induced a multiprotein complex formation consisting of PELP1, IGF1R, ER\u3b1, and Src that is involved in ERK1/2 rapid activation. PELP1/ER/IGF1R/c-Src complex identification as part of E2- and IGF-II-dependent signaling in ACC suggests PELP1 is a novel and more efficient potential target to reduce ACC growth

Reply: Choice of ART programme for serodiscordant couples with an HIV-infected male partner

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Degradation of long-chain n-alkanes in soil microcosms by two actinobacteria

The ability of two recently isolated actinobacteria, that degrade medium and long chain n-alkanes in laboratory water medium, was investigated in soil microcosms using different standard soils that were artificially contaminated with n-alkanes of different length (C12- C20- C24- C30). The two strains, identified as Nocardia sp. SoB and Gordonia sp. SoCp, revealed a similar high HC degradation efficiency with an average of 75% alkane degraded after 28 days incubation. A selectivity of bacteria towards n-alkanes of different length was detected as well as a consistent effect of soil texture and other soil physical chemical characteristics on degradation. It was demonstrated the specific aptitude of these selected strains towards specific environmental conditions

Long-Term Results of Radiofrequency Energy Delivery for the Treatment of GERD: Results of a Prospective 48-Month Study

Since 2000, radiofrequency (RF) energy treatment has been increasingly offered as an alternative option to invasive surgical procedures for selected patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Out of 69 patients treated since June 2002 to December 2007 with the Stretta procedure, 56 of them reached by the end of 2010 a 48-month followup. RF treatment significantly improved heartburn scores, GERD-specific quality of life scores, and general quality of life scores at 24 and 48 months in 52 out of 56 patients (92,8%). At each control time both mean heartburn and GERD HRQL scores decreased (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, resp.) and both mental SF-36 and physical SF-36 ameliorated (P = 0.001 and 0.05, resp.). At 48 months, 41 out of 56 patients (72,3%) were completely off PPIs. Morbidity was minimal, with only one relevant but transient complication. According to other literature data, this study shows that RF delivery to LES is safe and durably improves symptoms and quality of life in well-selected GERD patients

A Conditional Value-at-Risk Based Portfolio Selection With Dynamic Tail Dependence Clustering

In this paper we propose a portfolio selection procedure specifically designed to protect investments during financial crisis periods. To this aim, we focus attention on the lower tails of the returns distributions and use a combination of statistical tools able to take into account the joint behavior of stocks in event of high losses. In detail, we propose to firstly cluster time series of stock returns on the basis of their lower tail dependence coefficients, estimated with copula functions, and secondly to use the obtained clustering solution to build an optimal minimum CVaR portfolio. In addition, the procedure is defined in a time-varying context, in order to model the possible contagion between stocks when volatility increases. This results in a dynamic portfolio selection procedure, which is shown to be able to outperform classical strategies

A Conditional Value-at-Risk Based Portfolio Selection With Dynamic Tail Dependence Clustering

In this paper we propose a portfolio selection procedure specifically designed to protect investments during financial crisis periods. To this aim, we focus attention on the lower tails of the returns distributions and use a combination of statistical tools able to take into account the joint behavior of stocks in event of high losses. In detail, we propose to firstly cluster time series of stock returns on the basis of their lower tail dependence coefficients, estimated with copula functions, and secondly to use the obtained clustering solution to build an optimal minimum CVaR portfolio. In addition, the procedure is defined in a time-varying context, in order to model the possible contagion between stocks when volatility increases. This results in a dynamic portfolio selection procedure, which is shown to be able to outperform classical strategies

Self-efficacy for coping. Utility of the Cancer behavior inventory (Italian) for use in palliative care

Background: Newer models of palliative and supportive cancer care view the person as an active agent in managing physical and psychosocial challenges. Therefore, personal efficacy is an integral part of this model. Due to the lack of instruments in Italian to assess coping self-efficacy, the present study included the translation and validation of the Italian version of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief (CBI-B/I) and an initial analysis of the utility of self-efficacy for coping in an Italian sample of palliative care patients. Methods: 216 advanced cancer patients who attended palliative care clinics were enrolled. The CBI-B/I was administered along with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Mini Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC), the Cancer Concerns Checklist (CCL), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) ratings of functional capacity were completed by physicians. Results: Factor analysis confirmed that the structure of the CBI-B/I was consistent with the English version. Internal consistency reliability and significant correlations with the EORTC QLQ-C30, Mini-MAC, and HADS supported the concurrent validity of the CBI-B/I. Differences in CBI-B/I scores for high versus low levels of the CCL and ECOG-PS supported the clinical utility of the CBI-B/I. Conclusions: The CBI-B/I has strong psychometric properties and represents an important addition to newer model of palliative and supportive care. In order to improve clinical practice, the CBI-B/I could be useful in identifying specific self-efficacy goals for coping in structured psychosocial intervention

A male patient with acromegaly and breast cancer: treating acromegaly to control tumor progression

BACKGROUND: Acromegaly is a rare disease associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 72-year-old man who was diagnosed with acromegaly (IGF-1 770 ng/ml) and breast cancer. Four years before he suffered from a colon-rectal cancer. Pituitary surgery and octreotide-LAR treatment failed to control acromegaly. Normalization of IGF-1 (97 ng/ml) was obtained with pegvisomant therapy. Four years after breast cancer surgery, 2 pulmonary metastases were detected at chest CT. The patient was started on anastrozole, but, contrary to medical advice, he stopped pegvisomant treatment (IGF-I 453 ng/ml). Four months later, chest CT revealed an increase in size of the metastatic lesion of the left lung. The patient was shifted from anastrozole to tamoxifen and was restarted on pegvisomant, with normalization of serum IGF-1 levels (90 ng/ml). Four months later, a reduction in size of the metastatic lesion of the left lung was detected by CT. Subsequent CT scans throughout a 24-month follow-up showed a further reduction in size and then a stabilization of the metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a male patient with acromegaly and breast cancer. The clinical course of breast cancer was closely related to the metabolic control of acromegaly. The rapid progression of metastatic lesion was temporally related to stopping pegvisomant treatment and paralleled a rise in serum IGF-1 levels. Normalization of IGF-1 after re-starting pegvisomant impressively reduced the progression of metastatic breast lesions. Control of acromegaly is mandatory in acromegalic patients with cancer