1,042 research outputs found
Planning for terrestrial laser scanning: Methods for optimal sets of locations in architectural sites
No full textThe scanning of heritage sites is usually performed using Terrestrial Laser Scanners. A correct planning for architectural surveys is important to obtain a complete registration of the object of interest in the most efficient conditions. A good planning guarantees minimum time and computational costs, complete registration and maximum quality. To ensure a correct registration of the scans, it is advisable to design a connected itinerary of stations visible between them. In this work, two different techniques are applied to the interior and the exterior area of the Church of Ognisanti, placed in Cuti, Italy. The implemented algorithms, based on the Art Gallery Problem and Evolutionary Computation Techniques, help to identify optimal sets of locations from where to execute the data acquisition. A complete architectural survey is executed selecting the locations obtained through the application of optimization techniques. The effectiveness of these methods are analysed and compared versus professional criteria
From trans-disciplinary to "undisciplined" design learning: educating through/to disruption
No full textThe paper is fruit of a coordinated work, however the author of paragraphs 1 and 4 is Flaviano Celaschi, the author of paragraph 2 is Elena Formia and the author of paragraphs 3 and 5 is Eleonora Lup
The mechanisms of cardiac contraction impairment in salmonids by silver nanoparticles
No full textDue mainly to their unique antimicrobial property, silver nanoparticles (nAg) are used in everyday consumer products, such as cosmetics and textiles. It is expected that their use will only increase as the nanotechnology industry grows, resulting in a higher risk of nAg pollution in aquatic ecosystems and higher risk of uptake by fish. Previous studies have shown nAg to be harmful to fish, but little have focused on the cardiac impact these nanoparticles have. Callaghan et al. (2018) showed that nAg decreased cardiac contraction rate and peak contractile force in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and suggested the nanoparticles induced these effects by impairing important proteins involved in excitation contraction coupling. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms behind the nAg-induced cardiac contraction effects, determine if these effects were reversible and determine if cell size was influential. Ventricular strips from diploid Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and diploid and triploid brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were mounted in an isometrically contracting muscle physiology system to assess the effects of nAg as well as nifedipine and ryanodine on the force-frequency relationship, peak contractile force and post-rest potentiation (% PRP). nAg treatment of Arctic char strips resulted in a significantly higher mean maximum pacing frequency and lower mean peak force, suggesting nAg-interference with Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Recovery tests involving the replenishment of saline were not successful, thereby implying nAg cardiac effects to be irreversible. No significant differences in peak force and % PRP of brook trout arose from nAg treatment, either pharmaceutical treatment or ploidy which suggested possible differences between species in excitation contraction coupling and nAg effects. Na+/K+ and total ATPase activity was also assessed in brook trout injected with 700 μg per kg nAg 24 hours before sampling and demonstrated nAg to decrease Na+/K+ ATPase activity significantly in both diploid and triploid fish, leading to the conclusion that nAg may affect cardiac contraction through at least two mechanisms: Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and Na+/K+ ATPases
New solid-supported reagents (SSRs) for selective acylation of amines
No full textThe pyrimidine linker (4) was prepared by solid phase synthesis starting from Merrifield resin. Acylation of 4 with different acyl chlorides gave polymerbound 4-acyloxypyrimidines (2a-c), which proved to be useful solid-supported reagents for the selective acylation of amines. Their use in solution combinatorial chemistry has been also envisaged. (author abst.
The role of consumers in alternative food networks for organic products: organized groups of demand and supply as best partice.
No full textThe current process of reorganisation of agro‐food systems is characterized by the emergence of different patterns of production and exchange: the so‐called Alternative Food Networks‐AFNs based on the construction of a direct relationship between farmers and consumers, are developing at the level of individual territories in addition to global supply chains organised by modern distribution channels. These networks represent models for sustainable local development in economic, social and environmental terms, both for producers and consumers.
The present paper is focused on a particular initiative of AFNs, the Organised Group of Supply and Demand (OGSD), a network for exchange of products and information promoted by Italian Association for Organic Agriculture (IAOF), to encourage a model of sustainable production and purchasing, based on cultural and ethical choices, shared by both suppliers and consumer‐members.
The OGSD of Umbria (Italy) was elected as a case study with the aim to analyse its organization, focusing the attention on consumer‐members’ characteristics. Several profiles of consumers were found by the application of a Cluster Analysis based on the data gathered by administrating a questionnaire on socio‐ demographic characteristics of consumers and their families, purchasing habits of organic products, supplied by OGSD and the relationships with the Group. Results show that OGSD can be considered as a best practise for the development of AFNs; in line with the Group choices, the average member is a “responsible consumer”, driven both by private and altruistic purchasing reasons. However, differences emerge amongst the profiles, especially between historical and new members. These differences reflect an increasing heterogeneity in the social consumer base in particular with respect to reasons for being
member of the Group. New members who are more responsible and critical towards the Group organization can drive the involvement of consumer‐members in the future by implementing actual participatory behaviour
Introduction to property theory - the fundamental theorems
No full textThe market system consists of a price mechanism, built on the foundation of a system of property, and contract. In many developing, and transition economies, the market system functions poorly. In many cases, if not most, the malfunctioning is not simply in the price system (for example, anti-competitive activities), but in the underlying property system (such as contracts being breached, and externalities in the sense of transfers not covered by contracts). Economic theory tends to take the functioning of the system of property, and contract for granted, and focuses on the operation of the price mechanism. Property theory focuses on the underlying system of property, and contract. In this paper, the author inaugurates the mathematical treatment of property theory.In contrast with earlier work in"law and economics", and the"new institutional economics", this approach uses principles drawn from jurisprudence, and does not attempt to reduce"law"to"economics"in the sense of efficiency considerations, such as the minimization of transaction costs. The main results are the two fundamental theorems of property theory that are analogous to the two fundamental theorems of price theory that, in essence, state that: 1) A competitive equilibrium is Pareto optimal. 2) Given a Pareto optimal state, there exists a set of prices such, that a competitive equilibrium at those prices would realize that Pareto optimal state.Environmental Economics&Policies,Labor Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Municipal Housing and Land,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Municipal Housing and Land,Land and Real Estate Development
Feminine figure in the works of Elena Ferrante
No full textElena Ferrante'nin Eserlerinde Kadın Figürü" konulu tez çalışmasının amacı, Elena Ferrante'nin eserlerinde birbirleri ile ilişkili olarak ön plana çıkan kadın figürlerini incelemektir. Zira Ferrante'nin eserlerindeki kadın figürlerinin çoğu edebiyat ile iç içedir. İncelenen eserler Belalı Aşk, Sen Gittin Gideli, Karanlık Kız, Benim Olağanüstü Akıllı Arkadaşım, Yeni Soyadının Hikâyesi, Terk Edenler ve Kalanlar, Kayıp Kızın Hikâyesi olmak üzere dört kitaptan oluşan Napoli Romanları ve Yetişkinlerin Yalan Hayatı adlı eserlerdir. Bu eserlerin yanı sıra, Ferrante'nin farklı yazar ve yayıncılarla, yazılı olarak gerçekleştirilmiş röportajlarından oluşan Bir Yazarın Yolculuğu: Frantumaglia ve The Guardian gazetesinde yayınlanmış makalelerinden oluşan Tesadüfi Buluşlar adlı eserleri, yazarın romanlarıyla ilgili açıklayıcı başvuru kaynağı olarak incelenmiştir. Bu doktora tez çalışmasında yer alan Giriş bölümünden sonra Elena Ferrante'nin Yaşamı adlı birinci bölümde Elena Ferrante takma adını kullanan yazarın gerçek kimliğini açıklamak istememesinden dolayı sadece yazar hakkında yapılan araştırmalar ile akademik ve bilimsel çalışmalar ve yazarın kendi ifadelerinin yer aldığı eserler incelenmiştir. Çağdaş İtalyan Edebiyatı İçinde Elena Ferrante'nin Yeri Ve Kadın Figürü başlıklı ikinci bölüm, üç alt başlıkta incelenmiştir: II. a. İtalyan Toplumunda Baskı Unsurlarını İrdeleyenler ve Elena Ferrante, II. b. Mücadeleci Çağdaş İtalyan Kadın Yazarlar ve Elena Ferrante: Aile İçi İlişkiler ve Kadın Bedeni, II. c. Napolili Kadın Yazarlar ve Elena Ferrante. İtalyan toplumunda özellikle kadınların baskıya maruz kaldığı, dolayısıyla kadın yazarların büyük mücadeleler sonucunda edebiyat alanında başarılı olduğu görülmüştür. Özellikle aile içi ilişkileri ve kadın bedeni üzerindeki baskıyı kadınların İtalyan toplumundaki yerini edebi eserlerde dile getiren yazarlar, Napolili kadın yazarlardır. Zira İkinci Dünya Savaşı sonrasında sosyal, ekonomik ve eğitim açısından büyük sıkıntıların yaşandığı şehir, Napoli'dir. Elena Ferrante'nin de aralarında yer aldığı Napolili kadın yazarlar, dünyada büyük yankı uyandıran feminist akımlardan etkilenmişlerdir. Bu bağlamda Elena Ferrante'nin Eserlerinde Esinlendiği Feminist Akımlar başlıklı üçüncü bölüm, iki alt başlıkla incelenmiştir. III a. Feminist Akımlar ve İtalyan Feminizmi adlı alt başlıkta, feminist akımların İtalyan feminizmi ile ilişkisi değerlendirilmiştir. III. b. Napoli Romanları Adlı Eserde Liberal Feminizmden Postmodern Feminizme adlı ikinci alt başlıkta ise, feminist akımların, Napoli Romanları adlı eserde, yazar tarafından edebi olarak nasıl değerlendirildiği incelenmiştir. Elena Ferrante'nin Eserlerinin Edebȋ Açıdan İncelenmesi başlıklı dördüncü bölüm, bu tez çalışmasında üç alt başlıkla incelenmiştir. IV. a. Tarihsel Perspektifler adlı alt başlıkta, İkinci Dünya Savaşı sonrasında İtalyan toplumunun yaşadığı zorlu süreçlerin Ferrante'nin eserlerine etkisi irdelenmiştir. Zira en çok etkilenen şehir Napoli'dir. Bu bağlamda IV. b. Ana Mekân Napoli adlı alt başlıkta, eserlerde sıkça yer alan Napoli'ye ilişkin metinler incelenmiştir. Zira yazarın Napolili olması ve klasik edebiyat eğitimi alması anlatımını etkilemiştir. IV. c. Anlatım Özellikleri, Semboller, Arketipler, Dil ve Üslup adlı son alt başlıkta Elena Ferrante'nin eserlerindeki metinlerin yazara özgü anlatım özellikleri taşıdığı anlaşılmıştır. Freud'un eserlerini okuduğunu belirten Ferrante'nin başta oyuncak bebekler olmak üzere sıklıkla belirli sembolleri ve arketipleri kullandığı görülmüştür. Yazarın eserlerinde Napoli lehçesini sadece dolaylı anlatım ile okura sunduğu, dolayısıyla açık, akıcı dişil dil ve üslubu benimsediği anlaşılmıştır.The thesis research named "The Feminine Figure in the Works of Elena Ferrante" aims to examine the corresponding feminine figures that emerge to prominence in Elena Ferrante's works, as the majority of them are literary icons. The main reference books of this research are The Neapolitan Novels consisting of four volumes, namely My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child. In addition, the research concentrates on the trilogy including Troubling Love, The Days of Abandonment, and The Lost Daughter, as well as The Lying Life of Adults. In addition to these works, the books that have been analysed as explanatory reference sources for the author's novels are Frantumaglia: A Writer's Journey; a collection of interviews with Ferrante conducted by various writers and publishers, and Incidental Inventions, a collection of her articles published in The Guardian. The first chapter of this study, entitled The Life of Elena Ferrante, analyses the previous research, academic studies, and works featuring the author's own remarks in order to discuss the works of the author, who uses the pseudonym Elena Ferrante since she does not like to disclose her true identity. The second chapter, titled Elena Ferrante's Place in Contemporary Italian Literature and the Feminine Figure, consists of three sub-headings: II. a. Those who examine the elements of oppression in Italian society and Elena Ferrante, II. b. Struggling Contemporary Italian Women Writers and Elena Ferrante: Domestic Relations and the Female Body, and II. c. Women Writers from Naples and Elena Ferrante. Women in Italian society were exposed to oppression occasionally; thus, women authors effectively brought these themes into the domain of literature. In their creative content, Neapolitan women authors have highlighted the strain on familial relationships and the feminine body, as well as the position of women in Italian culture. Following World War II, Naples was a city with significant social, economic, and educational challenges. Neapolitan female authors, such as Elena Ferrante, were affected by global feminist movements with widespread resonance. In this context, the third chapter, titled III. Feminist Movements that Inspired Elena Ferrante in Her Works comprises two sub-headings: III. a. Feminist Movements and Italian Feminism assesses the link between Italian feminism and feminist movements, and III. b. From Liberal Feminism to Postmodern Feminism in the Neapolitan Novels examines the author's literary evaluation of feminist movements in the Neapolitan Novels. The fourth chapter of this thesis, titled Literary Analysis of Elena Ferrante's Works, is examined under three subheadings. In the subheading IV. a. Historical Perspectives, is examined the impact of the terrible conditions witnessed by Italian society in the aftermath of World War II on Ferrante's writings. It is a fact that the city most devastated by the war was Naples. In this context, the passages that commonly occur in Ferrante's writings that pertain to Naples are evaluated under subheading IV. b. Main Place: Naples. The author's Neapolitan heritage and classical literature background have inspired her storytelling in the last subheading, IV. c. Narrative Features, Symbols, Archetypes, Language, and Style the multivocal narrative features of Elena Ferrante's works are presented retrospectively. It is evident that Ferrante, who claims to have studied Freud's writings, constantly employs certain symbols and archetypes, particularly dolls. In addition, it is assumed that the author transmits the Neapolitan accent to the reader in her works solely via indirect narration, therefore adopting a clear and fluent feminine language and style
Hawkmoth-flower interactions in the urban landscape: Sphingidae ecology, with a focus on the genus Hemaris
No full textIn this dissertation I examined the ecology of moths of the family Sphingidae in New Jersey and elucidated some previously unknown aspects of their behavior as floral visitors. In Chapter 2, I investigated differences in moth abundance and diversity between urban and suburban habitat types. Suburban sites have higher moth abundance and diversity than urban sites. I compared nighttime light intensities across all sites to correlate increased nighttime light intensity with moth abundance and diversity. Urban sites had significantly higher nighttime light intensity, a factor that has been shown to negatively affect the behavior of moths. I analyzed moths’ diets based on pollen grains swabbed from the moths’ bodies. These data were inconclusive due to insufficient sample sizes. In Chapter 3, I examined similar questions regarding diurnal Sphingidae of the genus Hemaris and found that suburban sites had higher moth abundances and diversities than urban sites. I also examined the nectar diets and flight distances of Hemaris moth populations. Pollen grains from purple flowers were significantly more abundant on moths’ bodies across all sites, suggesting a preference for this corolla color. Flight data indicate that Hemaris are vagrants and seldom return to the same patch to feed. In Chapter 4, I examined the foraging behavior of Hemaris compared to the Bombus spp. that they mimic and their Lepidopteran relatives, Papilio glaucus and Manduca rustica. I observed foraging by Hemaris sp., Bombus sp., and P. glaucus at Cirsium discolor, a thistle native to New Jersey. Hemaris individuals visited significantly fewer C. discolor inflorescences and probed significantly fewer C. discolor florets that Bombus or Papilio glaucus. Hemaris do forage more similarly to the related M. rustica than to the other two foragers. Finally, in Chapter 5, I explored Hemaris’s visitation to the native Cirsium discolor and non-native Centaurea spp. During the co-blooming period of C. discolor and Centaurea, Hemaris visited significantly more C. discolor inflorescences. Hemaris revert to visiting Centaurea after C. discolor’s bloom period ends. C. discolor nectar has a significantly higher sugar concentration than Centaurea nectar so this difference may partially account for Hemaris’ higher visitation to C. discolor.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Elena S. Tartagli
Storytelling gets into action: the film 'Dushi fengguang' or a Shanghai phantasmagoria through Western lenses
No full textThe analysis of Cityscape (Dushi fengguang, 1935), the film directed by actor Yuan Muzhi and produced in the cosmopolitan Shanghai of the 1930s, could reveal interesting aspects of the early discourse on the city space. Moreover, it confirms how the position and the status of the author (or the filmmaker) was an important factor in the early cultural scene; as much as today it plays an important role in the Chinese cultural scene affected by a fast-paced process of economic and cultural transformation
DIY-Materials approach to design meaningful materials for the sustainability transition
No full textThe critical environmental conditions of the planet compel humankind to
rapidly devise solutions able to minimize the impact of human actions on
Earth. Environmental issues are urgent, so researchers and practitioners
in the design field are committed to formalising new visions and pathways,
willing to meet the SDGs of the 2030 agenda.
While formulating less affecting processes of making/manufacturing,
a conscious practice of design recognises materials and their
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management as a critical point for sustainable production. The material,
formerly considered a step of the design process, now becomes the
the focus of the project; unfortunately, there is a lack of dedicated studies
and initiatives to implement material awareness in design education. To
envision an effective ecological transition, material design turns into an
inescapable step when designing for sustainability. It’s fundamental for
design schools to invest in material education by establishing dedicated
courses that boost this realm of knowledge, material understanding,
and to improve the making skills of new generations of designers.
This chapter focuses on the results of the DIY-Material approach
used in the last few years at the Design School of Politecnico di Milano.
The developed approach allows to teach students transversally how
to design materials starting from a source, going through ingredients,
compositions, recipes, and processes, creating material demonstrators,
and defining the identity of the new material and its narratives. Here, a
series of bio-based, bio fabricated material examples will be illustrated
to describe the development of material pathways pointing towards an
ecological transition through a DIY-Materials approach
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