The stone roof of the tholos of Athena Pronaia in Delphi: structural hypotheses starting from fragments of marble tiles

This contribution is the first step of a multi-disciplinary research project, aimed at studying the roof of the tholos of Athena Pronaia in Delphi, dating back to the first decades of the 4th century BC. The starting point of this research is the fascination exerted by the tectonic quality of the temple, comprising some complex fragments of marble tiles belonging to the roof of the tholos. Despite the number of studies on this sanctuary, the poor state of preservation and lack of original material did not allow archaeologists to perform concluding research on its original configuration, in particular with reference to the reconstruction of the roof. Aware of the complexity of this topic, this contribution aims at exploring two possibilities, namely, on the one hand, that the fragments of tiles constitute elements supported by a wooden structure, and on the other hand, that they are structural elements of a stone system subjected to compressive stresses. Our contribution intends to serve as food for thought on the need for archaeological studies to be accompanied not only by advanced surveys in the field, aimed at the precise definition of the geometry of the finds, but also by architectural and structural investigations which make it possible to verify the feasibility of the hypothetical reconstructions of the architectural elements aware of the construction techniques used in the past

L’état des forêts méditerranéennes en 2013

Les écosystèmes forestiers et autres espaces boisés méditerranéens contribuent de façon significative au développement rural, à la réduction de la pauvreté et à la sécurité alimentaire des populations des territoires méditerranéens. Ils sont à la fois sources de bois, de liège, d’énergie, de nourriture, de revenus et de multiples autres biens et services environnementaux souvent cruciaux pour de nombreux secteurs économiques de la région. Les changements qui affectent fortement le pourtour de la Méditerranée hypothèquent l’avenir des écosystèmes forestiers et autres espaces boisés, et remettent en cause la fourniture durable des multiples biens et services en faveur des populations. Il devenait donc urgent de se doter d’un outil d’information et de suivi capable de mesurer régulièrement ces changements et de communiquer avec les différents acteurs impliqués dans la gestion des écosystèmes forestiers méditerranéens

Optical interferometric studies of a confined liquid free surface: meniscus-effect compensation and time evolution of the surface

A fruitful approach to the studies of a liquid free surface is demonstrated. Using optical interferential techniques, the free surface of nonvolatile and volatile confined liquids is analyzed. Various wall con tainer types are investigated. Besides the classical plane wall, experiments are performed by using cylindrical and toroidal walls. In these last cases, the meniscus effect that affects the free surface of the liquid is compensated. Then, it is possible to obtain completely flat free surfaces of liquids up to 80% of their total. Interferometric experiments are also described to measure the inclination of the site with respect to the local horizon, represented by the liquid flat free surface, and to follow the temporal evolution of such free surfaces affected by different conditions

How to increase the mobilization of Climate Financing Instruments

The session on Climate Financing Instruments in Mediterranean landscapes at the IV Mediterranean Forest Week attracted several participants, project partners and international donors. The discussion was inspired by several presentations focusing on the initiatives undertaken at the pilot site, national and regional level in the framework of two regional projects. They clearly showed the potential for accessing mitigation and adaptation financing mechanisms for the Mediterranean forest sector but also the complexity of the subject in the region. The discussion flagged the synergies between adaptation and mitigation in Mediterranean forests and the opportunities presented by financing mechanisms to support the sustainable management of Mediterranean forests

State of mediterranean forests in 2013

Forest ecosystems and other wooded lands contribute significantly to rural development, poverty alleviation and food security. They are sources of wood, cork, energy, food and incomes, and important ecosystem services which are crucial for many of the region’s economic sectors. Global changes which strongly affect the Mediterranean region could lead to the loss of biodiversity, an increased risk of wildfire, the degradation of watersheds, and desertification, with serious consequences for the sustainable provision of forest goods and ecosystem services. It is therefore urgent to develop a tool for information and monitoring in order to regularly assess these changes and to communicate based on objective and reliable data with the different stakeholders involved in the management of Mediterranean forest ecosystems

Evaluation of the weight loss of raw beef cuts vacuum-packaged with two different techniques

In the present study, 25 cuts of shank form adult cattle coming from the same slaughtering batch, were withdrawn just after manual sectioning/deboning, and each divided into two pieces (Prox and Dist) of approximately the same weight, that were vacuum packaged by using two different packaging systems: vacuum chamber machine with a bag material and a thermo-forming packaging machine with top and bottom webs named BAG and THF respectively. The packed cuts were stored at 2-3\ub0C for 20 days. The drip loss was calculated at the end of the storage as the difference between drained weight and net. Internal muscle pH and pH of the exudate present in the package and microbiological analyses (by pooling the samples) were performed at T0 and at the end of the storage. The drip loss, was significantly lower with BAG packaging: this difference was evident after 20 days of storage (average \ub1 STD BAG vs THF = 1.04\ub10.36% vs 1.71\ub10.42%; P<0.01). The values were, in general, low for both the packaging systems, never above 2%. Moreover, shrink bag packages are characterized by better overall pack appearance and less plastic weight per pack. Forming step reduce the thickness of ther-moforming material lowering the mechanical resistance and the barrier to oxygen, on the contrary after shrinking bag materials are thickened. The pH of muscles was stable, although a slight increase was evidenced after 20 (average \ub1 STD BAG vs THF= 5.73\ub10.05 vs 5.78\ub10.09; P<0.01), due to the ageing of meat. The pH of the exudate was equal at T20 (average \ub1 STD BAG vs THF = 5.34\ub10.20 vs 5.33\ub10.17). The drip loss didn\u2019t influence the development of all the microflora; in particular LAB, that represented the main microbial population, showed a gradual increase from T0 (2.20\ub10.41 Log CFU/g) to T20 (average \ub1 STD BAG vs THF= 4.76\ub10.29 Log CFU/g vs 4.75\ub10.0.15 Log CFU/g). No Enterobacteriaceae showed an increase, if compared to the initial counts, due to the prolonged storage and the gradual growth of ephemeral microorganisms, without differences among the two series (Enterobacteriaceae: T0=<1.7 Log CFU/g to T20 average \ub1 STD BAG vs THF = 2.83\ub10.77 Log CFU/g vs 3.09\ub10.0.70 Log CFU/g). In conclusion, the use of the BAG system demonstrated to have an effect in reducing the drip loss of beef cuts during the refrigerated storage, with only slight influence on the other characteristics of raw meat

A new mini-open technique of arthroscopically assisted Latarjet

Background: The aim is to describe a new arthroscopically assisted Latarjet technique. Methods: We evaluated the clinical and radiological findings of 60 patients with chronic recurrent anterior gleno-humeral instability who underwent, between September 2013 and November 2014, an arthroscopically-assisted Latarjet procedure with double round endobutton fixation. Inclusion criteria were: chronic anterior recurrent instability, Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) greater than three points, a glenoid bone defect > 15% or a Hill Sachs lesion with concomitant glenoid bone defect > 10%. During surgery the joint capsule and the anterior glenoid labrum were detached. Two drill tunnels perpendicular to the neck of the glenoid were made through a guide. An accessible pilot hole through the glenoid was created to allows the passage of guidewires for coracoid guidance and final fixation onto the anterior glenoid. Through a restricted deltopectoral access a coracoid osteotomy was made. Finally, the graft was prepared, inserted and secured using half-stitches. Results: The mean follow-up was 32.5 months (range 24\u201332 months). At a mean follow-up, 56 of the 60 subjects claimed a stable shoulder without postoperative complaints, two (3.3%) had an anterior dislocation after new traumatic injury, and two (3.3%) complained of subjective instability. At the latest follow-up, four subjects complained of painful recurrent anterior instability during abduction-external rotation with apprehension. At 1 year, the graft had migrated in one patient (1.7%) and judged not healed and high positioned in another patient (1.7%). Moreover, a glenoid bony gain of 26.3% was recorded. At the latest follow-up, three patients had grade 1 according to Samilson and Prieto classification asymptomatic degenerative changes. Nerve injuries and infections were not detected. None of the 60 patients underwent revision surgery. Healing rate of the graft was 96.7%. Conclusions: This technique of arthroscopically assisted Latarjet combines mini-open and arthroscopic approach for improving the precision of the bony tunnels in the glenoid and coracoid placement, minimizing any potential risk of neurologic complications. It can be an option in subjects with anterior gleno-humeral instability and glenoid bone defect. Further studies should be performed to confirm our preliminary results

Three initiatives in terms of adaptation to climate change

The article focuses on three initiatives that have addressed the issue of climate change and adaptation to its effects, through field experimentation, administrations training and data production. The For Climadapt project (MED programme) has developed methods and tools for actors in the field, through field visits, exchange of information and sharing of experience. The GIZ regional project has contributed to the capacity building of forest and non-forest administrations, in five Mediterranean countries, through two approaches to adaptation to climate change: a sectorial, on the adaptation of forests, and a multisectorial on the role of forests in the adaptation of territories and populations (Forest Ecosystem-based adaptation, FEbA). The component 1 of the project financed by the FFEM has enabled the production of large amounts of data, in particular maps: vulnerability maps, evolution of forest cover and land use maps, future projections of climate conditions, database of the literature on the subject