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Seed dormancy and germination niches of Mediterranean species along an altitudinal gradient in Sardinia
No full textThe most crucial environmental factor for the failure of seedling emergence / establishment is temperature stress; consequently, seed germination should be triggered by favourable temperature conditions for the further development of the seedling. Therefore, temperature is the primary environmental factor regulating germination, and it is also considered responsible for changes in dormancy states of seeds. Seed dormancy has probably evolved differently across species, through adaptation to various habitats and prevailing environments.
Under a Mediterranean climate, characterised by a considerable unpredictability of temperature and precipitation, with hot dry summers and cold wet winters, the plant growth and reproduction must occur in a window of favourable conditions that may vary in length and in which environmental cues and constraints play a central role.
In this work, the effect of environmental factors on the thermal requirements for seed dormancy loss and germination of Mediterranean species was evaluated. Target species, located in Sardinia along an altitudinal gradient, have been chosen giving priority to endemic species as well as to the taxa with a high phytogeographical interest. In total, seeds of 26 provenances of 18 species were collected and the effect of temperature variation with altitude on the thermal requirements for dormancy loss and germination of the different species, as well as among species belonging to the same genus and also between different populations of the same species was investigated. The possible differences in germination strategies between Mediterranean and temperate species were also evaluated. In addition, the effect of different pre-treatments (cold and warm stratification and dry after ripening) and hormones (gibberellins) on the thermal requirements for seed dormancy release and germination of the target taxa was assessed. To study and monitor the annual trend of local soil temperatures, close to the study species, 24 data-loggers were buried along the altitudinal gradient. Finally, lipid thermal profile and water activity of target taxa was studied by Differential Scanner Calorimetry analysis to determine their biophysical and physiological characteristics.
Through this study, the Mediterranean climate in Sardinia was characterized and seed germination responses of different Mediterranean species, as well as among populations of the same species, in relation with the altitude and different treatments were detected.
Thermal thresholds (the base temperature “Tb” and thermal constant for 50% germination “S”) requirements of seed germination for all taxa were identified and significant differences on Tb and S of Mediterranean species compared with those temperate species were also detected. The thermal time for 50% germination (θ50) was calculated and compared for three Rhamnus species, and for Digitalis purpurea, Scrophularia trifoliata, Santolina insularis and Ptilostemon casabonae.
In conclusion, this work has highlighted inter- and intra-specific differences on thermal thresholds for seed dormancy loss and germination of Mediterranean species; in addition, through the identification of lipid thermal profile and water activity of the target taxa, has provided further knowledge on the interactions between seeds and the natural environment in which they are located
Il notariato ad Iglesias tra Medioevo ed età moderna
No full textIn the general climate of revival of Roman
law, since the twelfth century, in some
Italian cities grew and flourished the notarial
institute. It began to carry out its basic
functions in the field of legal transactions
between independent and public
administrations. The importance of the role
of notary as acts producer with publica
fidesfavored early the spread of these legal
professionals in all Italian settlement
contexts, including in Iglesias during the last
quarter of the thirteenth century. Iglesias was
a small village; it had just conquered city
status and planted the first steady notary
workshops. They were the forerunners of a
category of professionals and drove all over
the unfolding history of the city until today,
acting as witnesses of almost eight hundred
years of history of which, on their books
hold memory
La politica estera birmana fra Cina e Stati Uniti: dall’isolamento a un’inedita centralità
Get PDFThis thesis aims at investigating both the rationale and the main features of Myanmar’s recent diplomatic shift, in particular vis-à-vis the People’s Republic of China and the United States. In order to grasp the essence of such a complex phenomenon, the analysis will primarily draw upon the existing IR theoretic literature regarding small Powers’ alignment strategies, highlighting the strengths and flaws associated with this traditional framework. Subsequently, the first chapter will introduce the notion of hedging as a viable alternative to the balancing vs. bandwagoning dichotomous approach, as well as a precious key to understand the aims and nature of Naypyidaw’s concrete behaviors in the international arena. The second part is designed to investigate Myanmar’s diplomatic trajectory from an historical standpoint, through a detailed investigation of the most relevant turning points that transformed the country’s neutral and dynamic diplomacy of the 1950s and 1960s into an isolated and generally reactive foreign policy, under the burden of several rounds of international sanctions descending from the regime’s brutal practices at home. Finally, the last chapter will try to contextualize the puzzle concerning the Burmese repositioning vis-à-vis regional rivalries by scrutinizing its surrounding environment: Southeast Asia, in fact, nowadays embodies a very competitive geopolitical space, characterized by the strategic “return” of several fundamental actors, as in the case of the U.S., Japan, and India. Finally, the study will shed a light on a paradigmatic case-study concerning the contemporary evolution of Sino-Burmese ties, represented by the contentious process of negotiation and, later, suspension of the Myitsone Dam project, which signaled the determination of Naypyidaw in breaking its dependent relation toward Beijing by re-establishing a multidirectional diplomacy, thanks also the ongoing rapprochement with the U.S. and their network of regional allies
Management strategies of electric vehicles and Concentrating Photovoltaic systems for microgrids
Get PDFThe present PhD dissertation is focused on the development of management strate-
gies of electric vehicles and concentrating photovoltaic systems in microgrids (MGs).
Firstly the MG concept and then the state-of-the-art analysis of the most important
components (that are photovoltaic and energy storage systems and electric vehicles)
are presented. Then, the first part of the thesis is focused on the concentrating
photovoltaic (CPV) systems, the most promising new technology for improving the
efficiency of PV systems. In particular, two prototypes characterization and the role
of CPV systems in MGs are introduced. In fact, the knowledge of the CPV issues
highlighted during the characterization process allows the development of a suitable
EMS, in order to guarantee the quality, the reliability and the controllability of the
MG and consequently of the main electrical power system, especially in presence of
a large number of renewable energy sources (RESs). The second part of the dis-
sertation deals with the analysis of two battery electric vehicles (BEVs) models.
Nowadays, the exploitation of BEVs has to be placed in a future contest in which
the vehicle batteries will perform different tasks in addition to driving purpose, such
as the vehicle to grid (V2G) paradigm. Thus, an accurate model that reproduces
the battery behavior under real dynamic driving conditions is mandatory, as well
as its validation. Moreover, the EV modelling allows to make the EV feedback in-
formation reliable for managing correctly and profitably an EV
eet inside a MG.
Consequently, in the last part, two management strategies (MSs) are presented. The
former operates in a MG composed by office and laboratory loads, a CPV plant and
a traditional
at-plate PV one and a BEV
eet. The MS proposed aims to maxi-
mize the energy self-consumption by respecting both the driver needs and the MG
requirements. The second MS manages the same MG by employing a stationary
storage system instead of a BEV
eet. In this case, the MS purpose is to guarantee
a
at-programmable power production profile at the DC node of the MG, even in
case of severe weather conditions
Analysis of geological parameters for optimization of geothermal probes applied to heat pumps: individuation of a technical and procedural iter
Get PDFThe geothermal heat pump systems have been developed in Italy only during the last few years and today only some regions are investing in this field. In particular, the Tuscany Region and the Autonomus Bolzano Province have promoted the study of these systems with the objective of being able to promote and to disclose in the time this technology. A fundamental aspect for a oculata planning and a greater knowledge of the real predisposition of the territory to the installation is sure the acquaintance of the specification of the geological, geophysical, geotechnical and hidrogeological systems and the parameters that enter at stake. The fundamental parameter in a position to discriminating from a point of view not only economic but also of real thermal yield is the thermal conductivity that the determinated site is able to offer.
This research examines the essential elements that they characterize a system of geothermal heat pump system. It has been to such respect important to study at first the various type of systems from a technical-engineering point of view that of principle operation. In a second phase, the parameters were characterized to consider in phase of thermal characterization, therefore the study of the heat conductivity, the transmission of heat between probe and land, the thermal stability and the thermal behavior of the ground. In particular, regarding the study of the heat conductivity, in the Capitol 3 are given the tools used for the acquisition of such parameter through investigations in the laboratory and in situ.
Successively the normatives elements that regulate the phases of authorization were characterized and analyzed, afterwards planning and installation of the heat pumps systems in the various international and national contexts were considered. A panoramic pre-emptive of the normative picture of the Nations and Regions was drawn to the vanguard in the field of geothermal energy to low and the lowest entalpy. This was dictated by the requirement to define the problematic ones met from the agencies that have legislated in matter and to put of in evidence virtues and criticality. The checks carried out both in terms of legal and procedural provided an
inspiration for the creation of authorization processes and procedures for the installation of various types of geothermal heat pump systems in various geological contexts, in order to assess the possible impacts that these systems can cause on the environmental matrices. Central part of the research project is the study of the heat conductivity, parameter key for the development of a useful cartography in this field. It was decided to perform a literature search of that parameter, in order to process and then compare the data of thermal conductivity obtained from detailed investigation carried out in a pilot site and found through the stratigraphy. In fact, nowadays the available data measured on lithologies of the Italian territory are few and hard to find. The literature research has allowed later to thermally classify the lithostratigraphic units of the geological legend of Sardinia Region, in scale 1:10000, one of the few regions to boast of an updated geological territorial Continuum. The performed research is based on the possibility of drawing up maps of the thermal conductivity from the investigation and trying different methods, ultimately, to compare the two approaches. The first method concerned a detailed investigation of the pilot site located in proximity of Lago Baratz (Municipality of Sassari) through a geological and hidrogeological framework, a pedologic survey and at last, investigations of geoelectrical type. The detailed study has afforded to frame the site potentially interesting to the installation of a system being afforded to characterize from a thermal point of view the area. Therefore, it has been possible to calculate the value of thermal yield for 1800 – 2400 hours of operation of the system in modality cooling and heating.
By means of the second method of calculation, it was considered appropriate to disclose a test personally conducted in the territory of the Arezzo Province. Thus, it is reported below an example of processing of the data of thermal conductivity from the stratigraphic information. Giving the high number of information (about 12566 stratigraphic data points), it was decided to perform a first test in order to verify and consolidate the processing procedure.
In the Chapter 7 all the passages executed for the elaboration of the thermal conductivity data from the stratigraphic information for the provincial territory are illustrated. Three maps for the depths of interest of 30, 60 and 100 meters Were elaborated. Successively the respective papers of the errors were calculated, allowing to divide the province territory in areas for which it can be identified different planes of address to be followed in the process of thermal characterization. The last chapter contains a possible synthesis of a procedural iter initially for defining the parts that enter as stake in phase of realization of a system. They will follow some detailed lists reported to the criteria to follow, in sensitive areas, for the study and the control from a thermal point of view, of a potentially apt site to the installation of a system The entire research aims to set an example as well as the application of geological information at a scale of detail, the stratigraphic information and spread knowledge of the parameters involved can be combined to create thematic maps useful for public authorities and citizens
Analytical solutions of the steady or unsteady heat conduction equation in industrial devices: A comparison with FEM results
Get PDFHeat transfer is one of the most salient and fundamental research areas for any engineer, due to its ubiquity. Today the energy efficiency requirements are becoming more and more demanding. This motivates engineers to continuously improve the efficiency of heat transfer processes.
For such analysis nowadays, the common and the popular practice to infer the temperature field is now commercially available in computer codes. Analytical solutions for the temperature field are also available under the assigned conditions such as Dirichlet, Neumann or Robin, if the thermal conductivity is constant and isotropic. In the cases where conductivity is anisotropic and strongly dependent by temperature or the material is not homogenous, the exact solution of the energy conservation in the body is not possible due to high non linearity in the equations.
Despite the complexity of many engineering structures, the present work is undertaken to demonstrate that the reduction to a simpler version of more complex heat conduction equations is possible and the exact analytical solution is comparable with the approximate finite element solution.
The topic of the present research study is the resolution of the problems in various engineering fields through the analysis of conduction heat transfer in rigid bodies, transition bodies, steady and transient bodies and the provision of analytical solutions with graphical representation of the results. Namely; in an electrolytic capacitor, a food container and a gas turbine blade. The modelling of them plays an important role because excessive temperatures drastically reduce the lifetime of capacitors, turbine vanes and blades. In the food sterilization it is necessary to know the thermal wave behaviour in order to reduce its associated costs or to guarantee the sterilization time.
The last part of this study is the evaluation of the numerical simulation results in order to make a comparison with the analytical results and, when possible, with experimental data. For such analysis a finite element method has been utilized by both commercial and free software; namely, ANSYS™ and FreeFem++. Very good agreements are obtained between both of them
Characterization of Rimonabant effects on G protein activity
Get PDFG protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) is the largest class of cell-surface receptors, and represents today the target of 40% of the drugs in the pharmaceutical market. In the absence of agonists, many GPCRs have found to exhibit spontaneous activity, which can be blocked by ligands that are referred to as inverse agonists (Milligan, 2003). Cannabinoid CB1 receptor is one of the most abundant GPCR in the central nervous system, and is coupled to Gi/o proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase, activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), inhibit voltage gated Ca2+ channels and activate inwardly rectifying K+ channels (Howlett et al., 2000; Pertwee, 2010). The first selective and potent CB1 antagonist Rimonabant (also known SR141716A, SR) at high micromolar concentrations behaves as an inverse agonist, i.e. decreases [35S]GTPγS binding in rodent and human cerebral cortex and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with CB1 receptors (Rinaldi-Carmona, 1994). However, in vitro and in vivo studies performed using CB1 knockout (KO) and CHO cells not expressing CB1 receptors suggest that inverse agonist activity of SR is CB1 receptor independent (Pertwee, 2005). Several hypotheses have been postulated to explain the inverse agonism of SR, including its action on different receptors (i.e GPCR mainly coupled to Gi/o proteins) and/or its negative modulation of the constitutive activity of CB1 receptors.
Alternatively, SR might explicate these “inverse agonist effect” in a manner receptor-independent acting directly on G protein level. The present study aimed to determine whether the CB1 receptor-independent effects of SR are mediated via GPCRs, in particular GABAB and dopamine D2 receptors, that share the same Gαi/o signaling pathways, or if SR acts directly on G protein subunits. For this purpose we investigated the molecular mechanisms of SR on G protein activity in native and recombinant systems by using different experimental approaches (i.e., GTPγS binding, bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET), electrophysiological recordings). In particular, we first evaluated the effects of SR on basal and agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding
in systems containing CB1, GABAB and D2 receptor populations (i.e., rat membrane homogenates and CHO stable transfected with GABAB or D2 receptors), and in systems lacking CB1 and GABAB receptors (i.e., CB1- and GABAB-KO mice).
Then, using BRET approach we monitored dissociation between Gαo and Gβγ subunits and their conformational rearrangements before and after GABAB receptors activation. In addition, using the same assay we studied the molecular interaction between D2 receptor and Gαi1 protein subunits (Gαi1-60, Gαi1-91 and Gαi1-121). Next, we evaluated the effects of SR on adenylate cyclase activity, using BRET with the CAMYEL sensor, a recent technique developed to detect the level of cAMP in living cells. Specifically, the inhibitory effect of SR on Gi and Gs protein pathways measuring BRET signal in cells transfected with CAMYEL and GABAB, D2 or D1 receptors was investigated. Finally, whole cell voltage clamp recordings from midbrain dopamine neurons in acute rat brain slices ex vivo were performed to evaluate the effects of SR on baclofen and quinpirole-induced outward K+ current both in wild-type (WT) and CB1-KO mice. In addition, in order to demonstrate that SR induced the inhibition of GIRK channel activity by acting directly on G protein, we use a GPCR-free experimental setup (i.e. whole cell patch clamp experiments were performed in CHO cells transfected with GIRK1/2). The main finding of this study is that SR, at micromolar concentrations, prevented GPCR-G protein signaling through a direct interaction with the G proteins mainly with the subunits αi/o
Studio dell’Effetto dell’Inibitore Selettivo della Dopamina β-Idrossilasi, Nepicastat, su Modelli Animali di “Alcohol Addiction” e “Chocolate Addiction”
Get PDFBackground: Nepicastat is a selective dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor that has
been found to suppress the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour triggered in rats
by cocaine priming, environmental cues previously paired with cocaine availability, and
stress.
The present studies were designed to extend to different alcohol-like behaviours the
investigation into the “anti-addictive” properties of nepicastat. Moreover, we investigated
whether nepicastat was capable of modifying the reinforcing and motivational properties of
a chocolate solution and preventing the reinstatement of chocolate seeking in rats.
Methods: Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats, selectively bred for excessive alcohol
consumption, were exposed to different procedures of alcohol-motivated behaviours while
Wistar rats were exposed to a series of procedures of use in evaluating the reinforcing and
motivational properties of the chocolate solution.
Results: Effect on alcohol: Acute treatment with nepicastat (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.)
completely suppressed the “alcohol deprivation effect” (i.e., the temporary increase in
alcohol intake occurring after a period of abstinence; model of alcohol relapse episodes) in
sP rats exposed to the 2-bottle choice regimen, and dose dependently and selectively
reduced oral alcohol self-administration in sP rats trained to lever-respond for alcohol
(15% v/v) on a fixed ratio (FR) 4 schedule of reinforcement. Finally, combination of
nepicastat (0, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and alcohol (2 g/kg, intragastrically) did not alter
spontaneous locomotor activity in sP rats.
Effect on chocolate solution: Acute treatment with nepicastat (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg,
i.p.) produced a dose-related inhibition of operant self-administration of the chocolate
solution in rats under FR10 and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement (indexes of
the reinforcing and motivational properties of the chocolate solution, respectively). The
effect of nepicastat on the reinstatement of chocolate seeking was studied in rats in which
lever-responding had been extinguished by removing the chocolate solution for
approximately 8 consecutive daily sessions. Nepicastat dose-dependently suppressed the
reinstatement of lever-responding triggered by a ‘priming’ of the chocolate solution
together with cues previously associated with availability of the reward. In a separate
group of food-restricted rats trained to lever-respond for regular food pellets, nepicastat
reduced FR10 lever-responding with the same potency as for the chocolate solution.
Spontaneous locomotor activity was not modified by nepicastat doses that reduced self2
administration of the chocolate solution and regular food pellets and suppressed
reinstatement of chocolate seeking. Notably, data on the suppressing effect of nepicastat
on chocolate-related behaviors were reproduced by treatment with disulfiram (0, 25, 50
and 100 mg/kg, i.p.), another DBH inhibitor. The different time-course of the suppressing
effect of disulfiram on chocolate-related behaviors may suggest a dual mechanism of
action, including the involvement of a substrate other than DBH.
Conclusions: (a) These data extend to alcohol- and food-related behaviours the capacity
of nepicastat to suppress different behaviours motivated by natural stimuli and drugs of
abuse; (b) DBH is a promising target for pharmacotherapies targeting cocaine and alcohol
dependence as well as eating disorders; (c) These data provide additional proof that food
and drugs of abuse share the same neural pathways in producing their rewarding,
reinforcing, and stimulating properties
Parole e immagini nella ritualità della Settimana Santa in Sardegna. Fonti scritte e sculture lignee nella pratica rituale dell’epoca moderna
Get PDFThe thesis intends to demonstrate how in the seventeenth and eighteenth century Sardinia it
was fundamental for the Church to use the preached word and meditative text along with the
devotional image. These are the same tools for control and indoctrination for the faithful. This
particular phenomenon, even more marked in the modern age, is realized in Sardinia
especially in the rites of Holy Week still celebrated today, the function of the "Deposition"
and devotion to the Mysteries of the Passion, reconstructing the origin and development of
these rites. It outlines the historical and social context of Sardinia in the XVII-XVIII Century.
Emphasizing the devotional and religious aspect in particular towards the Passion of Christ.
Including once the religious importance of the event in the Sardinian society of the time and
of Easter is understood, as the central moment of the liturgical year, we analyze the function
that the sacred image had in the rites practiced in the island, which had greater importance
because it was supported by the preached word. Then some homiletic and meditative texts of
the seventeenth century are examined, within this perspective. Finally, the historical and
artistic side is deepened by critical study of some wooden sculptures, used in these rituals,
which is published unedited, incorporating them into specific areas of production and proving
once again how modern era Sardinia was a cultural and artistic crossroads and trading center
Il "Quarto Tempo" del museo in Europa. Architettura, funzioni e spazio pubblico nel museo contemporaneo. Cagliari come caso studio
Get PDFThis research investigates museums in Europe, in the transition between the Twentieth and Twenty-first century: this period was called “Quarto tempo" - Fourth time- by Luca Basso Peressut (2005) with reference to Franco Albini, who in 1958 defined “Terzo tempo“ -Third time - in the museum's evolution, the cultural and historical context after World War II.
Museum is investigated, through the presentation of case studies, in its architectural features, in its functions and as a public space, representative of collective identity.
Research tools are the bibliographical survey, the direct investigation, the interview with the authors, the metadesign.
The method used is the debtor of the essay “Funzioni e archiettura del museo” - Functions and Architecture of museum - where the museum, a theme of both theoretical reflection and architectural design for the essay's author, is the link between architecture and reality.
The investigation about museum's architecture and functions follows the method and issues highlighted by Albin in his essay. These are the meaning of the collection; the role of architecture as a medium between work of art and public; the “public concern”; the "living museum"; the urban role of museum; museum as a mean for civil and cultural growth.
The research consists of two parts: the first, a theoretical study, is a survey and an investigation about recent museums' projects in Europe; the second assumes as a case study the city of Cagliari.
The aim is to outline the significant trends in contemporary European museums' context, setting them in their historical development and outlining a possible evolution. These considerations can be the base of reflection for a metadesign addressed to Cagliari.
PART I:
- Chapter 1 outlines the method of the research through the analysis of Albini's essay. “Funzioni e Architettura del Museo” . References are made to Albini's design research and to the historical and cultural context in which it was developed, that of the post-war “musei della ricostruzione” - museums of the reconstruction - when the architecture of museum seemed to summarize the main themes of the debate about the civil role of architecture, the relationship between tradition and innovation, the role of museum as cultural representation of identity. In this context, the architecture of the Italian museums proposed innovations in the language and in the spaces' organization.
- Chapter 2, note the experiences of the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Guggenheim Bilbao, outlines the themes of architecture and functions of museum in the transition between the Twentieth and Twenty-first century, characterized by a very high number of intervention, a museum boom on a global scale (BASSO PERESSUT 2005, 11 and GUERZONI, 2014), and by the prevalence of "icon museums" (GREUB GREUB 2006) , designed to support city branding operations, showing the hybridization with the models for the entertainment buildings and influences deriving from the economy of tourism (VIVANT 2008). Museum, in the turn of the millennium, becomes an evolution sensor of the art research and of new political, economic and social demands, a public space and a new pole of global cities, often becoming more significant than its very content – the collection. These characters lead to its definition as a "hyper consumism museum" (PURINI DE CARLO 2002).
At the same time new "universal museums" were designed with the expertise of the top European museum institution, to support the prestige of emerging countries.
The central part of this research exposes, through dedicated essays, “Schede”, some recent euopean museums, accomplished by programs started in the early 2000s and brought to completion between 2012 and 2015. This time span was chosen considering as significant cultural and economic turnpoint of this century: 2001, a date that has made clear the role of information and networking and the global dynamics that bind the planet; 2006, that saw the predominance of urban population growth and the power of the city; then 2007, whith the crisis of the economic model based on the continued growth of consumptions that characterized the second half of the Twentieth century.
Economics models are joined by new cultural models and new global relations, and new models for museums.
About sisxty the museums were surveyd in this research. Five of them, national museums of paramount importance and historic foundation, are described in stort essays illustrating their architectural design and planning, as exemplary cases.
These museums resulted from recent renovations or extensions works and new cionstruction. They are the Louvre-Lens (SANAA, 2012), the Rijksmuseum (Cruz y Ortiz, 2013) and the Museum plein in Amsterdam, the MuCEM in Marseille (Ricciotti and Paper, 2013), the British Museum in London (Foster and Partners in 2000, HOK 2003 Rogers Stirk Harbour and 2014), the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence (Architects Natalini and Guicciardini & Magni, 2015).
The latter is described by the words of its author, Adolfo Natalini, interviewed about just a few months after the conclusion of the renovation works, transcribed in a “Conversation about two museums”: the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and the project Nuovi Uffizi, in which Natalini took part. Both located in Florence, they mirror Italian reality and the complex relationship between the museum's architecture with art and history.
- Chapter 3 concludes Part I, and tries to delineate the trends. Museum is a public space and it is meant for people, it can define the identity of cities, it is shifting from the former role of "landmark", of “icon”, to that of "place maker", supporting the construction of identity and empowering community by building relationships between people and increasing the social capital of communities. Museum welcomes among its models art factories and the art evolution trends, that are experimenting form of shared experiences between the audience and the artists. New museums decrease the distance between art and science, by exposing the laboratories and research activities. They establish strong relationships with the urban context and build synergies with other institutions operating in the field of the knowledge economy. Museum becomes the leading factor for Soft Power
of contemporary cities (LORD Blankenberg, 2015). 14 15.
These trends are related to changes in the global economy, as the growing importance of the knowledge economy and the sharing economy in the more advanced countries, showing a different attitude to energy resources and the and information technology (RIFKIN 2011 LORD 2015). This economic changes are defining new cultural models and a new relationship with the public of museum, different from the economic and cultural models of the hyperconsuption of the late Twentieth century and the iconic models in the architecture of museums, that considered the public of museum as a public of consumers.
If it is impossible to define or define a clear trend in the spatial forms and architecture of the museum, this seems to welcome the new stimuli and cultural issues shaping the space of the museum as shared space, increasingly open, linked physically and synergistically to the other centers of learning and knowledge, in the physical space of the city and in the global space of the Web.
In Italy, where museums are closely linked to the cultural heritage and the historic city, and the historic museums insititutions seem to deal with fatigue with contemporary needs, the recent experience of the Museum of the Opera del Duomo, fully integrates into a system that altogether rethinks the monumental theme of the historic city and the public city. The museum shows, through the organization of its spaces and its language, the relationship between the work of art, architecture and urban space. This quality of the museum reminds to the same city of Florence, its history, its heritage.
PART II
is dedicated to the city of Cagliari as a case study
- Chapter 1 reviews the museums of the city, its heritage, its culture and research related places and insitutions
- Chapter 2 is dedicated to the main museum district, the Cittadella dei Museum, located in the old Savoy Arsenal in the historical quarter of Castello. The architecture of the Cittadella dei Musei applied contemporary forms on the architecture of the historic city, and it is still an examples of a happy synthesis between history, memory, and innovation
- Chapter 3, Hypothesis for a Museum / City, following the example of the Cittadella, welcoming the reflections on the historic urban landscape and the strategic role of the historic town (UNESCO 2011) and the strategic role of museums in defining and promote the identity and the cultural landscape (JALLA 2013 - ICOM 2016), tries to define a system of museums spread in the historic city, capable of supporting primarily the knowledge of the city and places and their quest for identity.
A Museum/City, a system of museums, historic and monumental sites, of public spaces of the city are able to compose a system based on knowledge -of the places and heritage - and activating knowledge, assuming the city itself as "living collection"