Cyprus and Sardinia at the Transition from the Bronze to the Iron Age: A Sacred Landscape Approach

In the framework of this contribution, and taking a macro-historic sacred landscapes approach, we established a comparative project analysing in parallel the development of sacred landscapes of two mega-islands, Cyprus and Sardinia, at the transition from the Bronze to the Iron Age. In both Cyprus and Sardinia, the period between the 12th and 8th centuries BC seems to have been a time when re-negotiations of individual, societal, and political identities took place, and this is clearly reflected on the construction of the sacred landscapes of the two islands. We first present our ‘landscape/macro-historic approach’; we then define the chronological horizon and the socio-historical contexts under discussion for each island, exploring at the same time how the hierarchical arrangement of ritual sites appearing at this transitional phase seems to be related with articulated social order or linked with shifting relations of power and cultural influence. Finally, we proceed to a discussion addressing the following three questions: (1) what is the relation between individual insularities and the construction of sacred landscapes on these two mega-islands?; (2) how can a ‘landscape/macro-historic approach’ assist us in better formulating microscopic approaches on both islands at the transition from the Bronze to the Iron Age?; and (3) is a comparative approach viable?

Microstructure and mechanical properties of hierarchical porous parts of Ti-6Al-4V alloy obtained by powder bed fusion techniques

Purpose This paper aims to describe the obtainment of Ti-6Al-4V parts with a hierarchical arrangement of pores by additive manufacturing, aiming at designing orthopedic implants. Design/methodology/approach The experimental methodology compares microstructural and mechanical properties of Menger pre-fractal sponges of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and electron beam powder bed fusion (EBPBF), with three different porosity volumes. The pore arrangement followed the formation sequence of the Menger sponge, with hierarchical order from 1 to 3. Findings The LPBF parts presented a martensitic microstructure, while the EBPBF parts presented an α + ß microstructure, independently of its wall thickness. The LPBF parts presented higher mechanical resistance and effective stiffness than the EBPBF parts with similar porosity volume. The stiffness values of the Menger pre-fractal sponges of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, between 4 and 29 GPa, are comparable to those of the cortical bone. Furthermore, the deformation behavior presented by the Menger pre-fractal sponges of Ti-6Al-4V alloy did not follow the Gibson and Ashby model's prediction. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to obtain Menger pre-fractal sponges of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by LPBF and EBPBF. The deformation behavior of the obtained porous parts was contrasted with the Gibson and Ashby model's prediction.

On the Adsorption Mechanism of Humic Substances on Kaolinite and Their Microscopic Structure

Soil organic matter (SOM) and various inorganic minerals represent key components of soils. During pedogenesis and due to biological activity these species interact, having a crucial impact on the formation of an aggregated soil structure with a hierarchical arrangement from nano to macro scale. In this process, the formation of organo–mineral microaggregates represents a dominant factor affecting soil functions and properties. This study focuses on the interactions between humic substances (HSs) and the mineral kaolinite as typical representatives of SOM and soil minerals. By performing classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on models of HSs and kaolinite, we demonstrate how two dominant but chemically different kaolinite surfaces affect the stability of HSs microaggregates. By analyzing volumetric, structural, and energetic properties of SOM–kaolinite models, we explain possible mechanisms of the formation of stable SOM–clay aggregates and show how a polarized environment affects the electrostatic interactions, stabilizing the microscopic structure of SOM–mineral aggregates. Our results showed that when stable aggregates of HSs are confined in kaolinite nanopores, their interactions with kaolinite surfaces disintegrate them into smaller subaggregates. These subaggregates are adsorbed more strongly on the polar aluminol surface of kaolinite compared to less the active hydrophobic siloxane surface.

Organizational structure and convergent change: explanatory factors in SMEs

PurposeBy integrating the structural contingency and the organizational adaptation theories, this study analyzes the impact of the main variables of organizational structure on convergent change. The authors also examine whether some contingency variables, such as the firm's size, age and sector, may help to explain differences in the relationship between organizational structure and convergent change.Design/methodology/approachThis work was carried out through an explanatory and cross-sectional study. The hypotheses were tested through a multiple regression analysis.FindingsThis paper demonstrates that, in Bogota's SMEs, modifications in differentiation and formalization explain convergent change, and that centralization does not affect it. Furthermore, the authors find that the company's size explains these relationships, and that age and sector do not influence them.Practical implicationsThe authors provide useful information in this work to guide managers and professionals on the implications of organizational structure and convergent change, more specifically on decisions regarding hierarchical arrangement, job division and processes redefinition.Originality/valueThis work provides empirical evidence with original data for a better understanding of the reality of Colombian SMEs in the Latin American context.

Decomposability and Relative Invariance: the Structural Approach to Network Complexity and Resilience

Economic complexity highlights the relationship between interdependence (a positional characteristic of elements belonging to a given network or structure) and connectivity (a functional characteristic of elements belonging to a given field of interaction). Positional interdependence (as the one between pieces in a jigsaw puzzle) is central to studies investigating the architecture of a complex system (Simon) while connectivity is central to the analysis of responsiveness patterns in social networks and strategic action fields. This paper discusses the fundamentals of a structural approach to economic and spatial complexity by highlighting the hierarchical arrangement of network elements as a distinctive feature of system identity. The positional distribution of network elements is a fundamental characteristic of complex networks and a central condition constraining the dynamics of those networks through the principle of relative structural invariance. The paper investigates the role of this principle by connecting it with the aggregation criterion followed in assigning network elements to specific subsystems. The type of aggregation is essential in determining the resilience properties of the network with respect to specific dynamic impulses. The paper concludes highlighting the need to combine the investigation of positional interdependence with the analysis of connectivity since positional interdependence is fundamental in determining which patterns of connection are more likely to arise (and which ones are excluded), due to the role of alternative properties of relative invariance constraining the feasible transformations in the positions of network elements.

Neuronal Cytoskeleton in Intellectual Disability: From Systems Biology and Modeling to Therapeutic Opportunities

Intellectual disability (ID) is a pathological condition characterized by limited intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. It affects 1–3% of the worldwide population, and no pharmacological therapies are currently available. More than 1000 genes have been found mutated in ID patients pointing out that, despite the common phenotype, the genetic bases are highly heterogeneous and apparently unrelated. Bibliomic analysis reveals that ID genes converge onto a few biological modules, including cytoskeleton dynamics, whose regulation depends on Rho GTPases transduction. Genetic variants exert their effects at different levels in a hierarchical arrangement, starting from the molecular level and moving toward higher levels of organization, i.e., cell compartment and functions, circuits, cognition, and behavior. Thus, cytoskeleton alterations that have an impact on cell processes such as neuronal migration, neuritogenesis, and synaptic plasticity rebound on the overall establishment of an effective network and consequently on the cognitive phenotype. Systems biology (SB) approaches are more focused on the overall interconnected network rather than on individual genes, thus encouraging the design of therapies that aim to correct common dysregulated biological processes. This review summarizes current knowledge about cytoskeleton control in neurons and its relevance for the ID pathogenesis, exploiting in silico modeling and translating the implications of those findings into biomedical research.

Description of war photographs : designing a list of subject headingsDescription of war photographs : designing a list of subject headings

This project is focused on the research and practical design of a list of subject headings which describes topical subjects visually represented in war photographs. To increase access to this type of cultural heritage, this list is a user-friendly tool for the efficient description of war photographs which does not require specialized knowledge in the subject of war for its implementation. Three main strategies are employed to this end: The implementarion of a strictly controlled vocabulary; the use of a streamlined multi-tiered hierarchical arrangement; and the placement of specific subject headings within the hierarchical structure of terminology that function as key access points to war photography collections. The basis of development of this project is the approach to the description of war photographs of three institutions. These are: George Eastman House Museum of Photography and Film, the Canadian War Museum's Military History Research Centre, and Ryerson University's Black Star Historical Black & White Photography Collection.

Description of war photographs : designing a list of subject headingsDescription of war photographs : designing a list of subject headings

This project is focused on the research and practical design of a list of subject headings which describes topical subjects visually represented in war photographs. To increase access to this type of cultural heritage, this list is a user-friendly tool for the efficient description of war photographs which does not require specialized knowledge in the subject of war for its implementation. Three main strategies are employed to this end: The implementarion of a strictly controlled vocabulary; the use of a streamlined multi-tiered hierarchical arrangement; and the placement of specific subject headings within the hierarchical structure of terminology that function as key access points to war photography collections. The basis of development of this project is the approach to the description of war photographs of three institutions. These are: George Eastman House Museum of Photography and Film, the Canadian War Museum's Military History Research Centre, and Ryerson University's Black Star Historical Black & White Photography Collection.

Society Ladenness Model: System-Parametric Analysis

The system-parametric method developed by A. Uyemov allows creating a model of the contemporary bifurcational reality. There are many terms adopted from other sciences which are often used in postmodern philosophy. Bifurcation is one of such terms adopted from synergetics. In this article emphasis is placed on the contemporary time which is bifurcational in its essence. Using the key thesis of the systems method which states that any object can be presented as a system, we propose to create a model of social ladenness. The mere fact that ladenness exists, makes the system of crisis (bifurcation) nature. The social ladenness is defined using system descriptors. This definition contains the concept, the structure, and the substrate of the object and analysis of their elements. Consistence and hierarchical arrangement of the descriptors is the social ladenness model under discussion. The elements identified in the social ladenness model are the economic, political, technical, ecological, religious, creative and bifurcation impact. We identified some markers of human existence in the community system. The coronavirus pandemic is used as an example to demonstrate the way the bifurcation society system model can be built in order to find solutions to overcome the social and individual crises.