Decay Process of Serpentinite: The Case of the San Giovanni Baptistery (Florence, Italy) Pavement

Serpentinite is a low-grade metamorphic rock derived from the transformation of ultramafic rocks. Mainly because of its aesthetic characteristics it has been widely used as a building and ornamental stone. “Verde di Prato” is the most common local name used in Tuscany to refer to this type of rock, historically quarried in this area and used for many centuries in a large number of monuments of this region. In this paper, we report the results of a study carried out on the serpentinite from the pavement of the Florence baptistery, to properly characterize it from a physical point of view, describe the rock conservation state, and understand the phenomena responsible for its decay. The studied rock displays numerous forms of decay including fractures, loss of material, erosion, discolouration and efflorescence. X-ray diffractometer analyses of the efflorescence revealed the presence of numerous salts whose formation can be imputed to multiple, possibly concomitant, causes such as the high relative humidity and the variation of inside temperature, the presence of concrete and/or cementitious mortars in the subsoil, atmospheric pollution and the burial ground existing close the baptistery.

Recent Developments in the Application of Inorganic Nanomaterials and Nanosystems for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Organic Artifacts

Cultural heritage (CH) represents human identity and evidence of the existence and activities that people have left over time. In response to the action of aggressive degrading factors, different materials have been developed and used to protect cultural heritage artifacts. The discovery of optimal materials for this purpose also raises several problems, mainly related to their compatibility with the support material, the most important aspect being that they must preserve their aesthetic characteristics. In this context, the present review paper aims to provide a critical discussion about the possibilities of using different inorganic nanomaterials and recipes for the conservation of cultural heritage objects of organic nature (such as paper, wood, and other support materials). In addition, also are covered different aspect concerning protection mechanisms and application methods as well as future perspectives in this area.

Artistic and aesthetic characteristics of vocal and pop performance as a genre synthesis of arts

The purpose of the article is to study the artistic and aesthetic features of vocal and pop art as a genre synthesis of arts. The research methodology involves the use of system-structural, comparative methods of analysis and culturological and art approaches in the study of these issues. The scientific novelty of the work is to expand the theoretical boundaries of understanding vocal and pop performance as a synthetic genre that combines different arts, and its defining artistic and stylistic features that directly affect the structure and stylistic features of vocals, interpretation of the work, its perception by listeners and representation of values, ideas and impressions generated in the process of performance and its perception. Conclusions. Conclusions. Variety vocal performance as a kind of musical text involves special manifestations of intertextuality, so it is possible to find layers of artistic and species series, expressive forms and meanings, artistic and linguistic means and interpretive techniques. From the point of view of specific tasks of artistic communication, it appears as a generalized form of musical and artistic activity that can claim universality and has its stage and staging canons, determined by value concepts of culture, but in their new popular sense. There are also exemplary compositional and semantic models in this field, the imitation of which is a recognized way to join the pop vocal and performing professionalism. In the field of pop and vocal performance in its theatrical and staged form there is a specific mythologizing, which concerns the figure of the singer as the central actor of the concert program, which forms a certain image to achieve extreme artistic persuasiveness. Therefore, it is not an image of a fictional character, but of a person close in time and meaning to life, as she can and should be in virtual artistic reality - aesthetically sublime and morally balanced. The main components of the intertextual sphere, which is formed around the variety show and determines the special director's interest in it, are semantic positions on the singer as a semantic core of the whole moving picture of pop and stage action. It is these semantic factors that organize and lead to a holistic artistic result all the structural indicators of pop performance. Keywords: vocal and pop art, artistic and aesthetic characteristics, genre specifics, genre synthesis of arts.

Craniofacial characteristics and cosmetic satisfaction of patients with sagittal and metopic synostosis: a case–control study using 3D photogrammetric imaging

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the craniofacial and aesthetic characteristics of adult metopic and sagittal craniosynostosis patients operated on in early childhood compared to controls. The goal was to find objective measurements that would correlate with the patient’s subjective self-evaluation of their own cosmetic appearance. Methods The study population consisted of 49 patients from whom 41 had premature fusion of the sagittal and in 8 of metopic suture. There were 65 age and gender matching controls from The Finish National Register. The 3D photogrammetric models were created from all patients and controls. The images were analysed using Rapidform 2006. Facial landmarks were set by the standard Farkas points. Facial symmetry parameters were calculated by using the landmarks and the mirror shell of the face. Aesthetic evaluation was done from standard photographs using panels. Subjective satisfaction with one’s own appearance was evaluated using questionnaires. Results Patients had the greatest asymmetry in the forehead area when compared to controls (symmetry percentage 59% versus 66%, p = 0.013). In the control group, the gap between the eyes was smaller than in the case group, resulting in an absolute 2 mm difference (p = 0.003). The area of the chin and the landmarks were more located on the left side in the patient group, resulting in up to a 1.1 mm difference between the groups (p = 0.003). Only a weak association was found between craniofacial symmetry and appearance evaluations. Conclusion Patients operated on because of sagittal and metopic synostoses were found to have facial asymmetry at long follow-up. However, the differences were < 3 mm and not clinically important. The long-term aesthetical outcome of the surgery performed because of sagittal or metopic craniosynostosis based on the 3D image evaluation was good.

Relating Knowledge and Perception of Sustainable Landscape Practices to the Adoption Intention of Environmentally Friendly Landscapes

The influence of traditional residential landscapes on humans and the environment has provoked a discussion on maintaining landscapes in a sustainable way and conserving water resources. Traditional American landscapes require water-intensive management. Previous research has discussed potential negative impacts on the environment from prevalent improper landscaping maintenance techniques. To mitigate long-term consequences, sustainable landscape management programs aim at protecting the environment from harmful inputs and conserving water. Among alternative practices, converting fully turfgrass lawns to sustainable landscapes is recommended. The Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFLTM) initiative is one such program designed to minimize negative impacts while maintaining and improving landscapes’ aesthetic characteristics. Although technological advancements in lawn care services have rapidly developed in the past few decades (e.g., smart irrigation systems), the level of homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions regarding sustainable practices are still at the forefront of potential factors that influence the widespread adoption of sustainable lawn management. Relatively few studies have investigated how homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes affect adoption decisions. This study adapted Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior as a framework to examine how individuals’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes influence their adoption intention, and to predict their pro-environmental behavior. We found that homeowners’ knowledge about lawns and landscapes (more knowledgeable) is positively correlated with their sustainable landscape adoption intention. Additionally, homeowners’ perceptions of landscape conservation practices (more agreeable with sustainable landscape practices) are positively correlated with sustainable landscape adoption intentions. The implications for policymakers and water conservation programs are discussed.

The Ontology of Death in M. Shishkin’s Novel The Letter Book

The purpose of the study is to characterize the understanding of the phenomenon of death in M. Shishkins novel The Letter Book . In this work, as well as in the literary world of Shishkin in general, the category of death appears as one of the most important objects of reflection. The opposite facets in comprehension of this phenomenona are revealed: death as unconditional evil and monstrous absurdity (which is emphasized by the numerous anti-aesthetic characteristics of the images of dying and death in the novel), but at the same time, the phenomenon of death and the evil that it carries in itself are overcome, and mortality in the literary sphere of the novel is regarded not only as a destructive beginning, but also as a necessary element of ontological balance and an expression of the wisdom of the world order hidden from imperfect human consciousness. The idea of the deep internal unity of the categories of death and love in the novel is argued. Shishkins paradoxical idea of the thanatological element as a sphere of life creation is understood. Conclusions about the neomodernism guidelines of the writers work are formulated.

Turkic-language interpretations of Quran from Bashkiria of the XIX century as literary monuments

The subject of this research is the literary-aesthetic characteristics of interpretation of Manzil written by Bashkir theologians Bahadirshah al-Qaynawi and Taj ad-Din ibn Yalchigul: the presence of coherent narratives based on the authorial approach towards the interpreted text, literary-aesthetic interpretations of plots and images reflected in the Quranic text directly, intertextual connections of interpretations with the works in other genres. The goal of this article lies in determination and description of the meaningful literary-aesthetic characteristics of interpretations of Manzil. The following tasks are resolved within the framework of this research: 1) determination of the key characteristics of the Tafsir genre, 2) revelation of the role of works under review for the tradition of the Turkic-language interpretation of Quran, 3) description of the literary-aesthetic characteristics of the interpretations by Bahadirshah al-Qaynawi and Taj ad-Din ibn Yalchigu, 4) translation of fragments of their interpretations that are significant from the perspective of literature into the Russian language. The scientific novelty and practical importance of this publication lies in introduction into the scientific discourse of two previously unexplored literary monuments that have not been translated into the Russian language. This significantly broadens the knowledge on the literary process in Bashkiria of the early XIX century. The author concludes that the interpretation of Quran fragments should be viewed in the context of evolution of Bashkir literature of the pre-national period. This opens great potential for studying their intertextual correlations with Turkic-language literary of the earlier period in the genres of &ldquo;chronicles&rdquo;, &ldquo;history of the prophets&rdquo;, and &ldquo;miracles of the created&rdquo;, as well as with sententious literature of the later period.