Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"
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Geopolymer Materials: Cutting-Edge Solutions for Sustainable Design Building
No full textThe development of innovative and environmentally sustainable construction materials is a strategic priority in the context of the ecological transition and circular economy. Geopolymers and alkali-activated materials, derived from industrial and construction waste rich in aluminosilicates, are gaining increasing attention as low-carbon alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), which remains one of the main contributors to anthropogenic CO2 emissions and landfill-bound construction waste. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of geopolymer-based solutions for building and architectural applications, with a particular focus on modular multilayer panels. Key aspects, such as chemical formulation, mechanical and thermal performance, durability, technological compatibility, and architectural flexibility, are critically examined. The discussion integrates considerations of disassemblability, reusability, and end-of-life scenarios, adopting a life cycle perspective to assess the circular potential of geopolymer building systems. Advanced fabrication strategies, including 3D printing and fibre reinforcement, are evaluated for their contribution to performance enhancement and material customisation. In parallel, the use of parametric modelling and digital tools such as building information modelling (BIM) coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA) enables holistic performance monitoring and optimisation throughout the design and construction process. The review also explores the emerging application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for predictive mix design and material property forecasting, identifying key trends and limitations in current research. Representative quantitative indicators demonstrate the performance and environmental potential of geopolymer systems: compressive strengths typically range from 30 to 80 MPa, with thermal conductivity values as low as 0.08–0.18 W/m·K for insulating panels. Life cycle assessments report 40–60% reductions in CO2 emissions compared with OPC-based systems, underscoring their contribution to climate-neutral construction. Although significant progress has been made, challenges remain in terms of long-term durability, standardisation, data availability, and regulatory acceptance. Future perspectives are outlined, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, digital integration, and performance-based codes to support the full deployment of geopolymer technologies in sustainable building and architecture
Genome-Based Advances in Modelling Renal Ciliopathies and Enhancing Patient Care
No full textBackground: Genetic diseases collectively affect more than 300 million individuals worldwide, posing a significant health burden, as diagnosis is often challenging and therapeutic options are limited. Recent genetic technological advancements are improving the management of many inherited disorders, including genetic kidney disorders (GKDs), the leading cause of early-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the cause of 10-15% of kidney replacement therapy in adults.
Summary: GKDs fall into different clinical categories, including cystic and fibro-cystic diseases in the setting of ciliopathies, rare conditions caused by the dysfunction of the primary cilium (PC), typically characterized by multiorgan dysfunction. CKD is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients and a correct diagnosis is crucial for patient's management.
Key message: The present review analyzes whether advances in genomic technologies have provided benefit in the ciliopathy field, in both modelling renal diseases and improving patient's care
Un'impresa Berniniana. Gli altari dei transetti di Santa Maria del Popolo. Il significato - Il restauro
No full textThe book is focused on the restoration campaign on the two altars in the transept of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome. By 1655 Gian Lorenzo Bernini supervised and planned the whole refurbishing of the nave, coordinating a team of sculptors and decorators who gave a Baroque face to the building's interior. Riccardo Lattuada edited the volume and has discussed the art-historical meaning of Bernini's plans. Gabriella Caterini, Carola Tavazzi and Susanna Sarmati offered a report of the restoration. Alessandro Mascherucci discussed the legal aspects of the private sponsorship for public monuments in Italy
Digital Control of an Inverted Pendulum Using a Velocity-Controlled Robot
No full textThis research article tackles the control problem of an inverted pendulum, also known as the Furuta pendulum, mounted on a velocity-controlled robot manipulator in two configurations: the rotary pendulum and the translational pendulum. Differently from most of the existing control architectures where the motor actuating the pendulum motion is torque-controlled, the proposed control architecture exploits the inner velocity loop usually available on industrial robots, thus easing the implementation of an inverted pendulum. Another aspect investigated in this paper and mostly overlooked in the literature is the digital implementation of the control and, specifically, the latency introduced by the digital controller. The proposed control solution explicitly models such effects in the control design phase, improving the closed-loop performance. The additional novelty introduced by this paper is the friction compensation that is essential in the swing-up phase of the inverted pendulum, whereas classical control strategies for the nonlinear swing-up usually neglect this effect, and their solutions lead to control failures in practical systems. This paper presents detailed modeling and experimental identification phases followed by the control design of both the nonlinear swing-up algorithm and the linear stabilization controller, both experimentally validated on a Meca500 robotic arm controlled via an EtherCAT communication protocol by a mini PC featuring a Xenomai real-time operating system. The overall system showcases the potential of high-performance digital control systems in industrial robotic applications
Visione e disegno della scala con flussi differenziati di percorrenza | Vision and design of stairs with different path flow
No full textIncluded within a broader study carried out on the historic staircases, the focus is on the one characterized by the presence of multiple path flow, the double staircases, and proposes reflections related to the vision and design of this architectural element throughout Italian architectural treatises. The discussion closes with a critical reading of two unpublished Neapolitan examples that testify to some of the few signs existing in Europe through the methodological and knowledgeable action of drawing and architectural survey.Inserito in un ampio studio condotto sul tema del corpo scala, il focus del contributo è la presenza di più flussi di percorrenza, le scale doppie, e propone riflessioni legate alla visione e al disegno di questo elemento architettonico nella trattatistica architettonica italiana. Infine, una lettura critica di due inediti esempi napoletani che testimoniano alcuni dei pochi esempi esistenti in Europa, attraverso l’azione metodologica e conoscitiva del disegno e del rilievo architettonico
Characterising alexithymia in individuals with functional motor disorders: a cross-sectional analysis of the Italian Registry of Functional Motor Disorders
No full textBackground Alexithymia, a personality trait characterised by difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions, may contribute to the onset and clinical presentation of functional motor disorders (FMDs), although this association remains underexplored. Methods From the Italian Registry of FMDs, we selected individuals recruited between November 2011 and January 2023, diagnosed with FMD according to Gupta and Lang criteria and assessed for various neurological and psychological features with validated rating scales. The main statistical analysis included regression models using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20 items as an explanatory variable for a set of clinical measures, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and correcting for multiple testing. Results In a cohort of 483 individuals, 20.7% had possible alexithymia and 31.5% had definite alexithymia. Higher levels of alexithymia were strongly associated with increased severity of depression (β=0.31, p<0.001), anxiety (β=0.32, p<0.001), general psychological distress (β=−0.27, p<0.001), fatigue (β=0.05, p<0.001) and pain (β=0.32, p<0.001) and moderately associated with a slower onset of FMD (β=0.02, p=0.003). Subscale analyses revealed that difficulties identifying feelings contributed most to these associations. No significant association was observed with motor symptom severity. Conclusions Emotional processing difficulties of individuals with FMD and alexithymia might increase their vulnerability to mental health problems, pain and fatigue, possibly aggravating the overall prognosis. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking alexithymia to FMD and to explore the efficacy of interventions targeting emotional awareness and regulation in this population and to prevent long-term mental health burdens