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A Finite Element Method orthotropic multi-yield elastic-inelastic model of a wood-adhesive-steel composite
No full textComposite elements made of wood reinforced by adhesively inter-layered steel lamina can be employed as structural
elements in building engineering, thanks to their favorable ratios of strength and stiffness to mass and their ductility.
The mechanical response of such composite, under loading, can be predicted by employing a Finite Element Method
with a proper model of each material. In this work, the Finite Element Method model is formulated within the theories of
Continuum Mechanics and irreversible thermodynamics of deformation, finite strains hypothesis, and kinematics of large
displacements. For the wood material constituent an orthotropic elastic–plastic-damage constitutive law is adopted, to
address the effects of irreversible strains, formulated by a multi-surface yield, both for plasticity and damage, where each
yield surface operates disjointedly each other, at the level of stress–strain component. The validity of the proposed model
and its computational technique is revealed by analyzing the stress–strain path until the failure of a composite element.
Thus, the numerical results are compared with the experimental data obtained in a tension test of that composite element.
The proposed model adequately represents the mechanical behavior of the composite
Shelf life definition and predictive approaches—modeling strategies for an effective control of food spoilage
No full textNuove indagini archeologiche nella necropoli enotria di loc. Raia (Anzi, PZ)
No full textWithin the archaeological project “Ritorno ad Anxia” (UniBas – DiSU), in July 2021 a new excavation campaign was
carried out in the Oenotrian necropolis of Raia (Anzi, PZ), whose preliminary report we intend to discuss in this article.
The site had been identified in 2001, when four 6th century B.C. burials were excavated by the SABAP- Bas. Not so far
from these findings, recent researches brought to light another sector of the necropolis, whose stratigraphy is shattered
in the eastern part, perhaps due to an ancient landslide. Two male tombs have been identified, instead, in the westernmost
part. The first one, covered by a tumulus, belonged to a sub-adult and showed a particular deposition ritual: the
funerary set, datable to the first half of the 6th century B.C., was placed within circles of stones near the skeleton, like
an iron spearhead and three matt-painted vases. The Tomb 2 belonged to an adult male, with a considerable funerary
equipment, consisting in an iron javelin and about ten locally made and imported vases, which can be dated to the third
quarter of the 6th century B.C
Making Virtue out of a Necessity: Women’s Entrepreneurial Motivation in Disadvantaged Areas. An Investigation Based on Generations
Get PDFThe study of entrepreneurial motivation has undergone a remarkable development in recent decades. Entrepreneurship scholars have shown a particular interest in understanding of the reasons that lead to entrepreneurial action in contexts characterised by considerable resource constraints. In relation to these contexts, many studies have drawn on push-pull theory to argue that necessity (push) or opportunity (pull) related motivations explain how entrepreneurial intention is formed. As part of the debate on entrepreneurial motivations in disadvantaged contexts and adopting a gender perspective, this paper aims to explore the motivations of women entrepreneurs leading young ventures. Their entrepreneurial action is not only subject to the vulnerabilities generally ascribed to young ventures and to the resource constraints of the territory in which they operate, but is also hampered by an additional obstacle in the form of gender roles, which involve behaviours not typically attributable to entrepreneurship. In particular, on the basis of a sample of 74 women entrepreneurs, we investigate the varying intensity of entrepreneurial motivations with reference to different groups definedon the basis of generations. For this purpose, a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was carried out. The results showed that younger women entrepreneurs generally had higher values for the entrepreneurial motivations considered. Looking at individual items, significant differences were found in several cases, which can be traced to both necessity and opportunity motivations. Thus, we cannot claim that generational diversity alone implies a different intensity of necessity or opportunity motivations. Rather, we believe that younger women are generally more entrepreneurially motivated, and if well educated, they are able to proactively seek out opportunities, even if they decide to start a business out of necessity, as a way of escaping precarious work or the risk of having to emigrate from their home country
Artificial intelligence and language learning: what opportunities for allophone learners
No full textEuropean countries are increasingly experiencing multicultural dynamics driven by phenomena such as mobility, migration, wars, political instabil- ity, and the resulting economic crises, with significant repercussions on the structure of school systems. In terms of student population composi- tion, schools are multi-ethnic and multicultural realities. This contribution is linked to the Erasmus Allophone Teacher Academy project, led by the
pedagogical area group of the University of Basilicata. The project ad- dresses two main issues: initial teacher training from a multicultural and multilingual perspective, and the learning of the language of schooling, with particular attention to the linguistic needs of students from migrant backgrounds. The product that the Basilicata unit will produce is a collec- tion of pedagogical tools and proposals for teaching activities for classes with foreign students. This contribution focuses on the opportunities and advantages that artificial intelligence can offer foreign students in learning the language of schooling. In particular, the contribution reflects on the problems related to intercultural language education and focuses on the possibility offered by enabling technologies to determine an expansion of vocabulary, useful for communicative, relational, and educational ex- change, from a multilingual and inclusive perspective
SPAZI POETICI PER IL PROGETTO. IMMAGINARE, SENTIRE, RIDISEGNARE L'IMPENSATO
No full textThe application of an alternative linguistic medium becomes central to enhance communication efficacy. Architectural discourse employs a lexicon comprising graphical representations; geometric constructs i.e. points, lines, and surfaces, complemented with photography. The overarching objective of architectural endeavours is to cultivate an environment that fosters the quality of life and emotional well-being of its residents. The architect aspires to convey comprehensible narratives even during the design phase, and should therefore try and use a new language. Thus, we investigate and explore this question: what occurs to the architect and to the inhabitants involved in participation practices when, in conjunction with conventional project drawings, the architect uses poems written for the specific project by a poet
“Synthesis of Nanostructured Metal-Chitosan Hybrids by Laser Ablation in Liquid”
Get PDFThe growing focus on environmental sustainability, coupled with the need to enhance technological performance across various industrial sectors, has led to an increasing interest in the development of innovative materials. In this scenario, composite materials are emerging as key players, owing to their ability to combine superior properties through the synergistic interaction of different components. Among composites, biopolymers stand out as a particularly promising class, as they merge biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics with a reduced environmental impact compared to traditional materials. Specifically, chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from chitin, is renowned for its exceptional biological and chemical properties, making it an ideal candidate for applications ranging from biomedical to agri-food, environmental, and industrial fields.
Concurrently, nanomaterial production techniques have rapidly evolved in recent decades, with a particular emphasis on sustainable and non-toxic methods. Among these techniques, laser ablation in liquids (LAL) has garnered interest as a versatile and eco-friendly approach for nanomaterial synthesis. LAL enables the control of the properties of the nanoparticles produced without the use of harmful chemicals, thereby minimizing waste and environmental emissions. This study explores the innovative potential of composite materials, focusing on the synergy between metallic nanoparticles (AgNPs and CuNPs) and chitosan. The research primarily centres on the synthesis and characterization of these materials through laser ablation in liquids (LAL), a technique that offers fine and precise control over the properties of the obtained nanoparticles, allowing for the modulation of their size, morphology, and chemical composition.
A significant aspect of this study is the utilization of chitosan derived from Hermetia illucens, an alternative and sustainable source compared to traditional marine sources, thus promoting a more ecological and responsible approach in biomaterial production. The in-depth analysis of LAL process parameters has enabled a detailed understanding of their influence on the morphological and physicochemical characteristics of metal-chitosan composites. In particular, the crucial role of chitosan in modulating the formation, growth, and stability of metallic nanoparticles has been highlighted, significantly affecting their final properties. The experimental results obtained have demonstrated the antimicrobial efficacy of the silver composites, with a particular focus on their biocompatibility with fibroblast cell lines, representative of connective tissue. Furthermore, the ability of these composites to inhibit the growth of common and clinically relevant pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, has been evaluated, paving the way for potential applications in infection prevention.
An additional area of investigation has been the application of these materials as coatings for bone implants, using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. This method has proven its effectiveness in producing thin and uniform films on implant surfaces, imparting enhanced antibacterial and biocompatible properties, which are fundamental for promoting osseointegration and reducing the risk of implant failure. The investigation has also extended to the environmental domain, evaluating the efficacy of silver-chitosan nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes, such as methylene blue, present in industrial wastewater. The results obtained have highlighted their potential as efficient catalysts for the removal of organic pollutants, under both UV and visible light irradiation, suggesting their possible application in water purification processes.
In conclusion, this study underscores the crucial importance of integrating sustainable technologies, such as LAL and the use of alternative chitosan sources, with biocompatible materials to develop innovative and sustainable solutions across various sectors, including biomedicine and the environment
Distopie, persuasione narrativa ed ecocritica. Il film "Siccità" (2022) di Paolo Virzì
No full textThrough an ecocritical perspective, which has been widely embraced within film studies as a means of understanding the intricate relationship between cinematic imagery and environmental theory and practice, this essay considers not only the forms of cinematic representation but, more specifically, the role of the film image in articulating a cinematic eco-philosophy. In particular, with regard to the Italian cinema, the article delves into the recent and distinctive emergence of the film genre "post-cli-fi" (Baracco, 2024), examining as a case study the film directed by Paolo Virzì, Siccità (2022)