“The paving of ancient paths, testimony of an ancient culture: recovery of a traditional route in Genoa (Liguria, Italy)”

One of the characteristic features of villages and towns is the paths that run through them. These often bear the traces of an ancient culture, which is manifested both in the materials used and in the construction and maintenance practices implemented in different territories. Rediscovering these traces is essential to understanding and safeguarding this significant component of the material history, which is often distorted or obliterated during urban interventions, owing to lack of knowledge. This paper presents a project for the enhancement and recovery of one of the traditional routes that run through Genoa from the coast to the mountains. These so-called "crêuze" are frequently made up of a central strip of bricks flanked by cobble-stones. In rainy weather, these bricks facilitate the passage of people, while proper drainage is ensured by the cambered profile and the cobble-stone side channels, which slow down the flow of water. To maximise the durability of these paths, both the construction techniques and the wise choice of materials and their processing were fundamental. Thus, this research also aims to ascertain the durability of the different materials used through their compositional and physical analysis. Awareness of the material culture that enabled such a high level of expertise to be achieved in the construction of these particular paths constitutes a valuable resource for correct interventions. The project involves private and public partners and also provides an opportunity to protect the territory through the proper management of water. In the past, water management was well organized. However, the various urban stratifications have given rise to evident problems

More than antioxidant: N-acetyl-L-cysteine in a murine model of endometriosis

N-acetyl-L-cysteine exerts a complex action on endometrial cells, involving regulation of gene expression and protein activity and location, all converging into a decreased proliferation and a switch toward a differentiating, less invasive, and less inflammatory phenotype. Also considering the lack of undesired side effects, including unaffected fertility potential, this suggests a beneficial use of NAC in endometriosis clinical treatment. Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Photogrammetry as a tool for chronological dating of fired bricks structures in Genoa area

open5The aim of this paper is to explore the applications of photogrammetry in the field of archaeology of architecture. Specifically, to test possible advantages in adopting this tool for undertaking brick measurements for chronological dating of fired bricks historic structures. Mensiochronology analysis is a direct and non-destructive method providing an absolute dating of stratigraphic units. It is based on direct inspection and survey of bricks. Depending on the accessibility of the surface being studied, mensiochronology is suitable for vertical structures of limited height or relies on the availability of scaffolding and lifting equipment. There are several advantages in applying photogrammetry to brick measurement, among them: the possibility to undertake measurements of every kind of surface; the reduction of on-site survey time; the opportunity to repeat measurements off-site; the possibility to increase the number of measured elements in subsequent phases and by different operators. To explore the application of photogrammetry for mensiochronology three case studies are analyzed, testing the effectiveness of this tool on buildings displaying diverse features (e.g. handmade and industrial bricks) and dating back to different periods.openAcacia, S.; Babbetto, R.; Casanova, M.; Macchioni, E.; Pittaluga, D.Acacia, S.; Babbetto, R.; Casanova, M.; Macchioni, E.; Pittaluga, D

The genetic landscape of dural marginal zone lymphomas

The dura is a rare site of involvement by marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and the biology of dural MZL is not well understood. We performed genome-wide DNA copy number and targeted mutational analysis of 14 dural MZL to determine the genetic landscape of this entity. Monoallelic and biallelic inactivation of TNFAIP3 by mutation (n=5) or loss (n=1) was observed in 6/9 (67%) dural MZL exhibiting plasmacytic differentiation, including 3 IgG4+ cases. In contrast, activating NOTCH2 mutations were detected in 4/5 (80%) dural MZL displaying variable monocytoid morphology. Inactivating TBL1XR1 mutations were identified in all NOTCH2 mutated cases. Recurrent mutations in KLHL6 (n=2) and MLL2 (n=2) were also detected. Gains at 6p25.3 (n=2) and losses at 1p36.32 (n=3) were common chromosomal imbalances, with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of these loci observed in a subset of cases. Translocations involving the IGH or MALT1 genes were not identified. Our results indicate genetic similarities between dural MZL and other MZL subtypes. However, recurrent and mutually exclusive genetic alterations of TNFAIP3 and NOTCH2 appear to be associated with distinct disease phenotypes in dural MZL

Colore "a fresco" - Couleur "\ue0 fresque"

L'articolo pone l'accento sulle buone pratiche da tenersi durante la realizzazione di un affresco; specifica come sia necessario prima di procedere alla scelta dell'intervento " afresco", considerare in modo ponderato il tipo di cantiere che verr\ue0 installato, la conformazione del manufatto e la disponibilit\ue0 dell'impresa. Nell'articolo viene ribadito che la manodopera non sia soltanto in grado di effettuare le corrette operazioni, ma che sia elastica, di buona volont\ue0 in grado di adattarsi ai tempi delle lavorazioni

La scuola di specializzazione in Beni Architettonici e del Paesaggio dell' Universit\ue0 di Genova

E' sempre pi\uf9 necessario che le "buone pratiche" si diffondano, perch\ue8 solo con la loro pi\uf9 ampia diffusione saremo in grado di salvaguardare il nostro patrimonio in maniera efficace e capillare. C'\ue8 assoluto bisogno che le "buone pratiche" siano conosciute, insegnate ed imparate andando ad agire anche sull'"edificato minore", che \ue8 l'edificato pi\uf9 diffuso, che maggiormente caratterizza i nostri territori, e quello che \ue8 pi\uf9 a rischio perch\ue8 \ue8 meno tutelato. Esso, infatti, \ue8 espressione di una cultura materiale che sapientemente sapeva scegliere i materiali e le tecniche pi\uf9 consone ed adeguate al luogo. Daniela Pittaluga per conto della Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Architettonici e del Paesaggio dell'Universit\ue0 di Genova e dell'Iscum (Istituto di Storia della Cultura Materiale) ha curato nel progetto Alcotra gli aspetti inerenti la scelta dei materiali e delle tecniche per gli interventi sul costruito