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Results of geological, geomechanical and seismometric investigations aiming at the analysis of the seismic response in a carbonate ridge of the Nera River valley (Central Apennines - Italy) are discussed. Geological and geomechanical surveys were aimed at defining the stratigraphic and structural setting of the outcropping formations and the jointing conditions of the rock mass. Velocimetric records of both ambient noise and small-magnitude earthquakes were analysed in order to identify amplification conditions. The analysis was carried out in the time domain, through directional energy evaluation, and in the frequency domain, through H/V spectral ratios and spectral ratios with respect to a reference station. A local amplification factor was estimated from Housner intensity. The study revealed a significant seismic amplification in a fault zone. This effect was observed in intensely jointed and mylonitic rock masses, located inside moderately jointed rock masses, and is the result of specific geometries and significant impedance contrasts. A map of fault zones prone to amplification of ground motion was constructed, taking into account the jointing conditions of the rock masses and the structural setting of the investigated ridge. The study relied on an integrated methodological approach, which combined the available data under union and intersection criteria.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

From humble beginnings, Rome became perhaps the greatest intercontinental power in the world. Why did this historic city become so much more influential than its neighbor, nearby Latium, which was peopled by more or less the same stock? Over the years, historians, political analysts, and sociologists have discussed this question ad infinitum, without considering one underlying factor that led to the rise of Rome--the geology now hidden by the modern city. This book demonstrates the important link between the history of Rome and its geologic setting in a lively, fact-filled narrative sure to interest geology and history buffs and travelers alike. The authors point out that Rome possessed many geographic advantages over surrounding areas: proximity to a major river with access to the sea, plateaus for protection, nearby sources of building materials, and most significantly, clean drinking water from springs in the Apennines. Even the resiliency of Rome's architecture and the stability of life on its hills are underscored by the city's geologic framework. If carried along with a good city map, this book will expand the understanding of travelers who explore the eternal city's streets. Chapters are arranged geographically, based on each of the seven hills, the Tiber floodplain, ancient creeks that dissected the plateau, and ridges that rise above the right bank. As an added bonus, the last chapter consists of three field trips around the center of Rome, which can be enjoyed on foot or by using public transportation.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show students the problems that a Brazilian franchise in the fast food sector faced while internationalizing its business to Mexico and Spain. Specifically, discuss how the entry mode of master franchise used by Spoleto presented problems to the company's managers. Design/methodology/approach This is a teaching case, designed to make students reflect on issues related to international business and international marketing. The primary data were collected through interviews with Edwin Junior, International Expansions Manager of Spoleto. The information gathered in the interviews was complemented by secondary data from newspapers, business magazines, internet sites and the Spoleto sites in Brazil and Mexico. Findings The choice to make partnerships with companies that already have experience in managing big multinational franchises might not be the best move for a brand that is unknown outside of its country. This aspect of master franchise partnerships is scarcely discussed in the literature, which instead tends to focus on other negative aspects of this kind of arrangement. It is also important to point out that close control over the master franchisees actions, especially in the initial phases of international expansions, is important to guarantee that operations will be up to standards in all countries. Originality/value The value of this study is in the discussion it raises about the mistakes, rather than the successes, made by a Brazilian franchise in its first attempts to expand internationally.

This chapter places the Spoleto note in its historical context, looking at the parallel between two systems: feudal and religious. In the feudal system, one swears, in the latter, one promises—on one hand fealty, on the other obedience—and both sets of values are much older than either feudalism or the new orders. Yet entrance into vassalage and entrance into religion both create a hierarchical link and at the same time a society of equals united by reciprocal exchange. This also creates the conditions of “governmentality.” In the secular realm, just as in the church, the usage—in fact, the diversion—of interpersonal ties allowed the construction of an institution that integrated and ultimately transcended them. The change of heart of the Spoleto note carries the echoes of these bonds as well.

This chapter describes the interpretive reversal for the original draft of the Spoleto note, from maternal affection to maternal government. The heart of Francis of Assisi's message is evangelical poverty. Motherhood is the institutional application of this poverty, a representation of the “renunciation of power.” In the Spoleto note, Francis sets Brother Leo, and through him all the brothers, face to face with God and their own freedom. The final order is given in the name of obedience even while removing obedience as an external constraint, since the same result can be reached by the exercise of internal free will, which in turn reinforces the subject's adherence to the original order. More than an expression of remorse or even of repentance, the note's last four lines are really a resumption. Francis resumes the course of his writing; he restarts, and he recaptures Leo in a net whose mesh is finer than that of institutional snares: the government of the soul.

This chapter addresses the talk given by Attilio Bartoli Langeli on October 15, 1993, during a colloquium sponsored by the International Society of Franciscan Studies on the subject of “Brother Francis of Assisi.” The talk was entitled “Francis of Assisi's Writings: The Autograph of an Illiteratus.” In his talk, Attilio Bartoli Langeli applied a rigorous, penetrating paleographic expertise to the only two autographs known to have been written by Francis of Assisi. One is a chartula conserved at the Sacro Convento of Assisi, a bit of goatskin parchment that bears (on the flesh side) the Praises of the Most High God and (on the hair side) the blessing to Brother Leo, framed by headings added later by its recipient. The other is a letter conserved in the archives of the cathedral of Spoleto, a fragment of goatskin parchment that has (only on the flesh side) the nineteen-line message addressed by Francis to this same Brother Leo.

This chapter surveys the emergence, development, and literary characteristics of the Latin carmen epigraphicum in late antiquity. It focuses upon fourth‐ and fifth‐century Rome and Italy, where the phenomenon is particularly well represented, and suggests that epigraphic poetry should be considered a signature feature of that period. Although funerary epigrams, whose long history reaches back to early imperial and republican Rome, have more consistently attracted scholarly attention, this chapter highlights the novel practice of installing metrical inscriptions in late antique churches and martyrial shrines. This innovative use of inscribed epigrams, it is further suggested, is rooted in a striking initiative of the Constantinian dynasty that was adapted by Rome's fourth‐century bishops, particularly Damasus (366–84), for purposes of episcopal self‐representation and the promotion of ecclesial and spiritual ends.

The medical practice and experimentation undertaken in the Salerno School represent a point of contact between Greek medicine, monastic medicine and Arabian medicine. The innovation of printing lead to the preservation of ancient traditions and of religious commentaries which were systematized and brought together in books. A rare post-incunable which forms part of the collection of the University of La Laguna's library, under the classification number S. XVI 174, brings together, under the title De urinis et pulsibus and De urinis, two works, the first of which is by Gilles de Corbeil, a 12th century French physician and the second a work by Pierleone da Spoleto, a 15th century Italian physician and university professor. Our objective in this study is to bring these treatises to the light of day, being the case that there do not appear to be any other examples of the treatise in Spanish universities libraries. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

  With one of his followers, [Francis] traveled to Egypt in hopes of converting the Muslim sultan and his army. Again, as [Donald Spoleto] notes, Francis \"couldn't escape his stereotypical prejudices\" regarding non- Christians who, in Francis' eyes, needed to embrace the \"true faith,\" Christianity. When Francis was hauled before the sultan, the Muslim leader's religious consultants told him to execute Francis immediately for trying to convert him. But al-[Kamil] was so amazed - and amused - by the audacity of the little man in sackcloth that he invited Francis to stay with him for a week, to tell the sultan stories about this Jesus Christ and to listen to his plea for peace. Al-Kamil was the same age as Francis, and, like him, was dedicated to his faith and its propagation. But, according to Spoleto, the sultan was also \"a man who appreciated true faith wherever he found it; he admired Francis' character, his wholehearted commitment to his faith and his clear contempt for the luxuries of the world.\" Al-Kamil promised he would never condemn Francis to death.

Recruited to ballet from an orphanage, Jorge Esquivel, the winner of many prestigious prizes, and Alicia’s partner for nearly a quarter of a century, represented the very best of a generation and credits Fernando, who remains his friend to this day, with offering him an objective,\\ yet intelligent and compassionate approach to teaching ballet, which he now does at San Francisco Ballet School.