Seismic vulnerability of the ancient albergotti's manor in Arezzo, Italy

The thesis moves from the need of understanding how a historical building would behave in case of earthquake and this purpose is strongly linked to the fact that the majority of Italian structures are old ones placed in seismic sites. Primarily an architectural and chronological research is provided in order to figure out how the building has developed in time; then, after the reconstruction of the skeleton of the analyzed element (“Villa i Bossi” in Gragnone, AR), a virtual model is created such that the main walls and sections are tested according to the magnitude of expected seismic events within the reference area. This approach is basically aimed at verifying the structure’s reliability as composed by single units; the latter are treated individually in order to find out all the main critical points where rehabilitation might be needed. Finally the most harmful sections are studied in detail and proper strengthening is advised according to the current know-how.

Double Copies of bla(KPC-3)::Tn4401a on an IncX3 Plasmid in Klebsiella pneumoniae Successful Clone ST512 from Italy.

A carbapenem-resistant sequence type 512 (ST512) Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase 3 (KPC-3)-producing K. pneumoniae strain showing a novel variant plasmid content was isolated in Palermo, Italy, in 2014. ST512 is a worldwide successful clone associated with the spread of bla(KPC) genes located on the IncFIIk pKpQIL plasmid. In our ST512 strain, the bla(KPC-3) gene was unusually located on an IncX3 plasmid, whose complete sequence was determined. Two copies of bla(KPC-3)::Tn4401a caused by intramolecular transposition events were detected in the plasmid.

Biostratigraphical investigations of Lago d'Averno, near Naples

Remains of diatoms, molluscs, ostracods, foraminifera and pollen exines preserved in the sediments of Lago d'Averno, a volcanic lake in the Phlegrean Fields west of Naples, allowed us to reconstruct the changes in the ecological conditions of the lake and of the vegetation around it for the period from 800 BC to 800 AD. Lago d'Averno was at first a freshwater lake, temporarily influenced by volcanic springs. Salinity increased slowly during Greek times as a result of subsidence of the surrounding land. Saline conditions developed only after the lake was connected with the sea by a canal, when Portus Julius was built in 37 BC. The first post-Roman period of uplift ended with a short freshwater phase during the 7th century after Christ. Deciduous oakwoods around the lake was transformed into a forest of evergreen oaks in Greek times and thrived there - apparently almost uninfluenced by man - until it was felled, when the Avernus was incorporated into the new Roman harbour in 37 BC, to construct a shipyard and other military buildings there. Land-use was never more intense than during Roman times and weakest in Greek and Early Roman times, when the Avernus was considered a holy place, the entrance to the underworld.

A guide in the National Museum of Naples : and its principal monumentes [sic], illustrated.

Mode of access: Internet.

Villa Agrippa Posthumus, cubiculum nocturnum, north wall, center panel, Aedicula with a small landscape

Boscotrecase, Italy; fresco on black ground