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This essay focuses on contemporary artworks that hark back to Mughal examples. In particular, there is an underlying formal arrangement shared by traditional and contemporary art, which I would like to suggest has much in common with reading maps. In fact, many of these artworks actually feature maps that alert us to different ways of ‘reading’ this tradition of formalism, stimulating different levels of description.

This work describes the adsorption of pyrene molecules on a Ag(111) surface. We first demonstrate that despite its high vapor pressure, pyrene molecules can form ordered films under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, presenting a well-contrasted diffraction pattern. Studies using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy provide compelling evidence of a physisorbed system where the molecules only weakly interact with the substrate underneath. Comparisons with theoretical calculations, as well as with data obtained from optical spectroscopies, clearly demonstrate that the vibrational and electronic properties of the adsorbed molecules are similar to the expected ones for pristine pyrene. Finally, we used temperature-programmed X-rays photoelectron spectroscopy to study the desorption process of pyrene on the Ag(111) surface and estimate its activation energy to desorption.

Occupation-related noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has both negative economic and quality of life implications. The risk spine surgeons undertake in regards to NIHL during operative intervention is unknown. Governing bodies, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, have recommended exposure limits not to exceed 85 decibels (dB) over 8 hours. The purpose of this study is to characterize noise exposure to spine surgeons in the operating room (OR).

SUMOylation is a reversible post-translational modification that regulates protein function through covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins. The process of SUMOylating proteins involves an enzymatic cascade, the first step of which entails the activation of a SUMO protein through an ATP-dependent process catalyzed by SUMO-activating enzyme (SAE). Here, we describe the identification of TAK-981, a mechanism-based inhibitor of SAE which forms a SUMO–TAK-981 adduct as the inhibitory species within the enzyme catalytic site. Optimization of selectivity against related enzymes as well as enhancement of mean residence time of the adduct were critical to the identification of compounds with potent cellular pathway inhibition and ultimately a prolonged pharmacodynamic effect and efficacy in preclinical tumor models, culminating in the identification of the clinical molecule TAK-981.

Traditionally safety in industrial manufacturing environments has been addressed by rigid separation between robots and human operators. With the advent of new technologies and the transition of production to industry 4.0, a more flexible approach to manufacturing is pursued to achieve higher productivity, where robots and human operators are allowed to collaborate and interact. This transformation leads to overcoming traditional safety procedures and the development of new safety-assuring technologies for the minimization of risks connected with human robot collaboration. In this work we focus on the prediction of movements of operators’ upper torso and arms by developing a method which combines data driven methodologies with formal methods. The approach is based on a predictive model of human motion compared against the planned robot trajectory and online monitoring of satisfaction of safety requirements with formal methods. We provide an early assessment of the robustness of the proposed method with results from simulations in a virtual environment.

Interest is growing in digital and telehealth delivery of mental health services, but data are scarce on outcomes in routine care. The federally funded Australian MindSpot Clinic provides online and telephone psychological assessment and treatment services to Australian adults. We aimed to summarise demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients registered with MindSpot over the first 7 years of clinic operation.

We present measurements of the sticking probability of ammonia on two metals, tungsten and 316L stainless steel, covered with natural surface impurities as they will be used for the international nuclear fusion experimental reactor ITER. Using a collimated supersonic molecular beam at two different kinetic energies (55 and 255 meV), varying the sample temperature in the 130–425 K range, and characterizing the surface composition with Auger electron spectroscopy, we observe similar sticking features on both surfaces, consistent with a nondissociative adsorption mediated by two precursors having different trapping probabilities. First, the initial sticking probability decreases with increase in the surface temperature. Second, the sticking probability increases with the surface coverage up to near-saturation coverage, where it declines. Both features cannot be described together with the Kisliuk model (intrinsic + extrinsic precursors with identical trapping probabilities) or the modified Kisliuk model (direct adsorption + extrinsic precursor). Thus, we derive a generalized and separable Kisliuk (GSK) model that is able to reproduce quantitatively these two experimental observations thanks to intrinsic and extrinsic precursors having different trapping probabilities. The GSK model assumes a negligible transfer from the intrinsic precursor to the extrinsic precursor, which allows one to extract precursors kinetic parameters in a two-step analysis. The GSK analysis indicates that the ammonia trapping probability is lower on the bare surface (intrinsic precursor) than on the NH3-covered surface (extrinsic precursor). Furthermore, the barriers between the two precursor wells and the deep adsorption well are found below the vacuum level. Finally, we measure that the sticking probability does not decline to zero, i.e., steady-state sticking is observed with a probability up to 0.15 at a beam energy of 55 meV and a surface temperature of 220 K. This observation is consistent with NH3multilayer adsorption. These experimental results and their fitting with the GSK model offer the starting point to a predictive determination of the fusion fuel inventory related to ammonia in the international experimental reactor ITER.

Groundwater bodies constitute important water supplies as they are considered to be the safest and most reliable sources for drinking water. Although they commonly show complex dynamics, they may provide information on climate variability, being sensitive at both local and global climate conditions. Currently, the shallow aquifer hosted in the Mt. Amiata volcanics represents the most important freshwater reservoir of southern Tuscany (central Italy). Nevertheless, such a groundwater system is still poorly constrained, despite the hydrogeological and geochemical investigations carried out in the last decades. In this work literature and new hydrogeological and water stable isotopic data from both rainfall and groundwater are reviewed with the aim to better understand how the Mt. Amiata aquifer responds to the meteoric recharge and evaluate the impact of climate variability on this significant groundwater body. Isotopically, a good agreement between the rainfall and the groundwater system was observed, suggesting that the aquifer can be used as a proxy for local climate changes.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Statins are a class of drugs whose main adverse effects are drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and myopathy. Some of these may be predictable, due to their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, while others, unfortunately, are idiosyncratic. Genetic factors may also influence patient susceptibility to DILI and myopathy in the case of statins. This review will first discuss the role of statins in cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention and the underlying mechanisms of action. Furthermore, to explore the susceptibility of statin-induced adverse events such as myopathy and hepatotoxicity, it will then focus on the recent Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) concerning the transporter genes, Cytochrome P450 (CYP), organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) and ABCB1 and ABCC1, which seem to play a role in the development of clinically relevant adverse events. Finally, we appraise the evidence for and against the use of statins in metabolic syndrome and in HCV-infected patients, in terms of their safety and efficacy in cardiovascular events.

A new and unusual eruptive event occurred on 29 February 2016 within the summit crater of the Mount Nyiragongo volcano. Based on field campaigns performed between July 2015 and September 2017, and building on a previously published buoyancy‐driven bidirectional magma flow model explaining the progression of Mount Nyiragongo lava lake level, we provide the first quantitative estimations of volumes of erupted lava outpouring from the new spatter cone. Besides matching field data of the lava lake level covering the period December 2002 to September 2017, numerical solutions of the model reveal that the most probable dike path is one originating from the shallow magma reservoir, and not from the lava lake or branching from its feeding conduit. According to these simulations, the reservoir and erupted lava volumes are respectively estimated to the order of 10 km3and 20 M m3. Magma overpressure at the level of the shallow reservoir is estimated in the range 12 to 16 MPa, high enough to potentially initiate new erupting events. Mount Nyiragongo volcano contains the world's largest continuously active lava lake within its crater. This constitutes a major potential geological regional hazard to the Virunga volcanic region's inhabitants within the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, particularly the cities of Goma and Gisenyi with about 1.5 million people living at its foot. Within the last four decades, the lava lake has been twice (1977 and 2002) drained out catastrophically through a fracture network. A new and unusual eruptive event occurred on 29 February 2016 proximity to the lava lake, forming within a few months a small cone of about 30 m high. Based on a mathematical model incorporating fluid mechanics, we calculate using computer simulations the overpressure of the magmatic system due to the accumulation of magma circulating back from the lava lake into the feeding magmatic reservoir. Combined with the fractured nature of the edifice, we estimate this that overpressure renders the possibility of dikes reaching the surface inside the crater, as currently observed, and also outside the summit crater, in which case the threat of a future major flank eruption becomes real. Overpressure exerted in the shallow magmatic reservoir by buoyancy force is sufficient to initiate a dike feeding the new spatter coneGeochemical and petrological analyses suggest that the feeding systems of the lava lake and spatter cone are of the same originThe magmatic flow model tuned to fit field observations indicates 0.9 km3of magma convected since 2002 for a reservoir volume of 10 M m3

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) family proteins regulate target-protein functions by post-translational modification. However, a potent and selective inhibitor targeting the SUMO pathway has been lacking. Here we describe ML-792, a mechanism-based SUMO-activating enzyme (SAE) inhibitor with nanomolar potency in cellular assays. ML-792 selectively blocks SAE enzyme activity and total SUMOylation, thus decreasing cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, we found that induction of the MYC oncogene increased the ML-792-mediated viability effect in cancer cells, thus indicating a potential application of SAE inhibitors in treating MYC-amplified tumors. Using ML-792, we further explored the critical roles of SUMOylation in mitotic progression and chromosome segregation. Furthermore, expression of an SAE catalytic-subunit (UBA2) S95N M97T mutant rescued SUMOylation loss and the mitotic defect induced by ML-792, thus confirming the selectivity of ML-792. As a potent and selective SAE inhibitor, ML-792 provides rapid loss of endogenously SUMOylated proteins, thereby facilitating novel insights into SUMO biology.

AbstractPilularia minutaDurieu (Marsileaceae) is a rare and endangered Mediterranean species of temporary ponds. It occurs in different countries all around the Mediterranean Basin with a scattered distribution. In Italy, this species is known for Sardinia, Apulia and recently for western Sicily. During a field investigation, the species was found in the Hyblaean Plateau (south-eastern Sicily). The aim of this work is to analyze the ecological features and conservation status of P. minutapopulations occurring in Sicily. The floristic composition of Pilularia minutaplant communities were determined using the standard relevé method. Three spatially differentiated belts with specific floristic compositions emerged from the numerical analysis (UPGMA method, Euclidean distance coefficient) and from canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), mainly correlated to the water level. Our results showed that temporary ponds mainly host amphibian vegetation belonging to the phytosociological class Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, which includes pioneering annual plant communities growing on periodically flooded soils. Most species belong to the Mediterranean element, with therophytes as the dominant life form. The floristic richness and diversity index of these plant communities increased from the inner belt towards the upper belt. Finally, a synthesis of all known localities of Pilularia minutafrom the Mediterranean area is given, together with a new assessment of the risk status for Sicily and Italy.

The results of a study on plant community diversity, floristic richness, and spatial patterns in volcanic temporary ponds of Sicily are presented. A total of 166 plots were analyzed, 103 for Etna and 63 for Hyblaean sites. For each plot, the floristic composition and species cover were determined using standard relevé methods. Moreover, for these ponds, pH, conductivity, temperature, rainfall, altitude, and a floristic richness and diversity index were assessed. The plant communities were analyzed using a hierarchical cluster analysis, while the ordination method Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling was used to establish spatial patterns in the scattergram and to generate hypotheses on the vegetation/environment relationships. A total of nine plant communities for Hyblaean and seven for Mount Etna with a specific floristic composition were recognized. The spatial patterns of plant communities mainly followed an ecological gradient related to hydroperiod of the ponds, as well as local topography and human activities. The results show a considerable difference in floristic richness between the two study areas, as well as a different distribution of the life forms. Furthermore, for each study area the floristic richness and diversity index increased from the deep zone towards the shallow zone.

The presence of Euphorbia hypericifoliais reported for the first time in Italy, it is a neophyte native to tropical and sub-tropical Americas. Its occurrence in the Mediterranean area is very scattered and circumscribed to a few countries, such as Spain and Greece. Morphological, ecological features and taxonomic notes are discussed, considering also its occasional misidentification. The invasion risk of this species is assessed.

AbstractThis study presents an updated syntaxonomic review of the annual psammophilous plant communities from coastal dunes and inland territories of Sicily. A total of 301 relevés were collected. The relevés data were analysed using classification (WPGMA, similarity ratio) and ordination methods (detrended correspondence analysis and principal component analysis). Eighteen plant communities were recognized, four of which are described here for the first time (Rostrario littoreae-Tuberarietum villosissimae, Filigini asterisciflorae-Loeflingietum hispanicae, Astragalo kamarinensis-Coronilletum repandae, Sileno coloratae-Ononidetum variegatae cutandietosum maritimae). The surveyed associations are ascribed to the following orders: Cutandietalia maritimae(annual associations of semi-fixed dunes) and Malcolmietalia(inland sandy soil communities). Moreover, for this latter order, a new alliance, Filagini asterisciflorae-Linarion humilis, that groups the therophytic communities from fossil dunes and deep sandy soils of the inland of the Sicily, is proposed. Another aim of this study is to check and compare the discrete model of plant community against the continuum model along environmental gradients.

This study is aimed at, first, producing a complete inventory of the vascular flora of the Taormina Region; second, identifying and mapping the species of high naturalistic value. The vascular flora of this area consists of 624 specific and infraspecific taxa, of which four are endemically restricted to this part of the Peloritani Mountains, namely, Colymbada tauromenitana, Limonium ionicum, Limonium tauromenitanumand Brassica raimondoi. The families most represented are Asteraceae (77 taxa), Fabaceae (73 taxa), Poaceae (63 taxa), Orchideaeae (23 taxa), Lamiaceae (23 taxa), and Apiaceae (23 taxa). The life-form spectrum of the vascular flora indicates the predominance of therophytes (40%), with hemicryptophytes (27%) and geophytes (14%). From a chorological viewpoint, most of the species show a Mediterranean distribution (316 taxa). A large number of surveyed taxa are endangered, of which 31 are included in the IUCN Regional Red List, 23 species of Orchidaceae are protected by the CITES and one in the EU 92/43 Habitat Directive. The analysis of the habitats revealed that rare taxa are most abundant on cliffs and dry grasslands.

The article reviews the exhibition "Freedom Farmers" which featured New Zealand Contemporary Art held at the Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand.

Arthroscopic debridement is an effective means of surgical management of both degenerative osteoarthritis (DOA) and posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) of the elbow. However, the difference in the efficacy and longevity of this procedure when performed for these two distinct pathologies remains in question. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the midterm outcomes and survivorship of arthroscopic debridement of elbow PTA and DOA.

The plasmonic excitations of square-periodic arrays of silver nanocylinders are used to increase the radiative efficiency of nearby InGaN/GaN quantum wells emitting at near-green wavelengths. These nanostructures allow for an accurate control of the plasmonic resonance wavelength, scattering-absorption ratio, and electromagnetic near-field enhancement via geometrical tuning. In turn, these properties are found to play a critical role in the measured light-emission efficiency enhancements.

AbstractA survey of the endemic flora of the Hyblaean territory, important centre of biodiversity and speciation in Sicily, is presented. The endemic flora of this area consists of 105 taxa. Among them, 39 are included in the IUCN Regional Red List and 32 in the National Red List, 17 Orchidaceae are protected by the CITES and 3 in the EU 92/43 Habitat Directive. The most represented families are Asteraceae and Orchidaceae (17%), Lamiaceae (10%). A large number of species are endemic to Sicily or central—southern Italy and Sicily. The endemic taxa exclusive to the Hyblaean territory are 20. Life form spectrum of the endemic flora indicates the predominance of geophytes (28.6%), chamaephytes (26.7%), hemicryptophytes (24.8%). The analysis of the habitat put in evidence that the endemics are widespread in garrigues, rocky walls and rocky coasts, dry grassland, woods and synantropic places. In this work, it's also provided an assessment of the conservation status of Hyblaean endemics and proposition for their protection.

The article discusses several remarks on the outward-gazing figure in Mughal miniature painting. It states that the outward-gazing figure is a sophisticated artistic device that occurs systematically in Mughal painting from the late Akbar period to the reign of Shah Jahan. It mentions that the outward-gazing figure was an important tool for the Mughal artists to direct the gaze of the viewer to help form the message of a painting. It concluded that outward-gazing figure sets a new cognitive development in Mughal art.

The article focuses on the study of the games in Mughal art based on the series of gazes which represents a meaningful visual order. According to the author, gazes which links figures to create meaningful symbols were often seen in Mughal, and earlier Persian manuscripts. Oleg Grabar stated that pictures in the gazes represents a complex, and passionate game clues that depicts the relationships among the people. Mughal paintings were said to be made from the influence of Persian traditions of the network of gazes, which was then elaborated as a principle of pictorial order.

In the Buda Mts. (Hungary) several Pleistocene travertine outcrops are known. The subject of this paper is a stable isotope study on the Pleistocene travertine from Budakalász that was deposited on the slope of Monalovác Hill of the Buda Mts. The principal goal of this work is to define the depositional environment and related implications by studying the petrographical and microfacies features and C and O stable isotope compositions. The Budakalász travertine can be divided into two stratigraphic units. The lower part of the studied sections (approx. 15 m thick) consists of massive limestone, which represents a "smooth-slope" facies and has mean d13C and d18O values of 2.21‰ and -11.1‰ relative to V-PDB, respectively. Microbial shrub structures were also recognized in the lower part of the section, showing slightly higher d13C values (2.6-2.7‰) relative to the other samples.  The upper unit of the sections is composed of what was originally calcareous mud. The studied samples have low d13C values (~1.8‰) and notably higher d18O values (~-10.6‰) than the average d18O value of the lower part of the section. The samples from the upper part contain microsparitic cement as an indication of stagnant water environment with calm lacustrine sedimentation and pond facies. Based on our integrated petrographic and microfacies description and stable isotope study, the Budakalász travertine can be classified as an originally thermogene travertine.

Description

Phytosociological observations on «Lago Gurrida» (N-E Sicily). The results of a phytosociological research on the vegetation of «Lago Gurrida» are given. It is a little marshy area at present partially bonified, which is localized at the base of the N-W slope of Etna and is fed mainly by the water of Flascio river. The natural vegetation is represented by very peculiar plant-communities which are linked to the lenght of the submersion period. The surveyed associations are the followings: Myriophylletum spicati Soo 1927, submerged monophytic vegetation belonging to Potametea; Eleocharido-Alismetum lanceolati ass. nov., hygrophilous association referred to Phragmition which is represented by a more hygrophilous subassociation (bolboschoenetosum) and by a less hygrophilous subassociation (alismetosum); Phragmitetum communis (W. Koch 1925) Schmale 1939 forming a dense monophytic vegetation; Carici otrtibae-Juncetum inflexi ass. nov. of Agropyro-Rumicion crispi, physionomically characterized by the dominance of Juncus inflexus; Epilobio hirsuti-Agropyretum repentis ass. nov., belonging to the same alliance of the previous association and it is represented by meadows of Agropyron repens; Coronopo-Sisymbrielletum dentatae ass. nov. of Heleochloion, which represents a ephemeral vegetation characterized by the occurrence of Sisymbriella dentata rare endemic species of Sicily and S. Calabria; Rubo-Crataegetum brevispinae O. Bolos 1962, thorny scrub vegetation belonging to Pruno-Rubion ulmijolii. Besides some plant-communities not very well characterized from the floristical and structural point of view occur; they are indicated as community of Dipsacus fullonum and Cirsium italicum, belonging to Plantaginetalia majoris and frequent in the uncultivated surfaces of bonified areas, and as community of Salix alba and Salix purpurea, riparian wood of Poptilion albae

The Paleozoic quartzites and graphite-rich metapelites cropping out in the area of Monti Romani, in Central Italy, show very common mineralogical and petrographical features and are lacking of fossils. For this reason, their stratigraphic attribution in the general picture of the Tuscan Paleozoic is still debated.

The effect of a pre-operative high fibre diet on the resolution of ileus following cholecystectomy has been evaluated.The time needed to restore canalization of the gastro-intestinal tract has been compared in two random groups of patients (a total of thirty-eight) one treated with wheat bran and the other as control without the diet supplementation.The average persistence of ileus was 24 hours in the treated group and 54 hours in the control group.These results suggest that a bran-enriched diet could be an inexpensive and simple treatment to shorten the duration of ileus after abdominal surgery.

Gas manifestations in north-central Italy consist of CO2-rich gases with minor N2rich emissions and discharge either along with thermal springs or into cold and stagnant waters. ‘Cold’ gases are prevalently C02 -dominated (> 90%) while gases related to the thermal waters have variable composition: from CO2> 99.5% to N2 > 90%. The variable composition of ‘thermal’ gases is caused by differences in the thermal regime and lithology of the ascent paths, where there is mixing of gases from multiple sources, such as N2rich atmospheric and deep C02-rich metamorphic end-members. Elevated concentrations of CH4and H2in these gases are generally related to the presence of active geothermal systems at shallow depth, such as the Larderello-Travale field in Tuscany. The δ13C values between coexisting CH4and CO2in all samples analyzed suggest that CH4originates abiogenically in 200–400°C hydrothermal systems. Far from geothermal areas, where the thermal gradient is lower or the water/gas ratio is high because of large inflow of meteoric waters, H2and CH4are usually lower. In some cases, they can be scrubbed or oxidized (especially H2), while the residual rising gas becomes indirectly enriched in N2and C02. Carbon dioxide is also enriched in some discharged gases because it is produced at shallow depth in lower temperature conditions (<150°C). Heavy δ15N values for N2to near + 7.0%o suggest that, for some gas samples that contain excess nitrogen (e.g. where N2/Ar >> 83), this component probably derives from ammonia-rich feldspars and micas within the Palaeozoic schist basement rocks. However, other samples show evidence of a shallow component of CH4and N2from Neogene basin sediments. The areal distribution of the 3He/4He ratio points to a general prevalence of atmospheric and crustal 4He in the gas discharges in central Italy. A significant component of mantle 3He is only found in the geothermal areas of Larderello where the large regional thermal anomaly suggests the presence of a deep magmatic body.

The article features the manuscript which is the first part of Nizami's fifth poem in the Khamsa, the Sharaf-nã me. The manuscript is in the library of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London in England. It has been confirmed that there are nine illustrations at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery which complete the miniature cycle of the same Sharaf-nãme. None of the nine Bristol folios is a exclusively a text page, each has an illustration with a small section of text.

The article provides information on the unnoticed inscriptions on the Dyson Perrins Khamsa, the manuscript created for the Emperor Akbar. The unnoticed inscriptions at the bottom of three illustrations in the manuscript attribute chihranami work to Bulaqi. In addition the manuscript was originally presumed to have been painted in the Akbar period. Furthermore, it has been noted that the inscriptions and overpainting go hand-in-hand with the colophon and show Emperor Jahangir's involvement with the painting of the Khamsa.