170,435 research outputs found
Biennale di Architettura di Venezia, Le quattro stagioni, L’architettura del made in Italy da Adriano Olivetti alla Green Economy, Il progetto Paraloup
No full textIl progetto di Paraloup presentato alla Biennale di Venezia 2012 nel Padiglione Italiano alla mostra “Le quattro stagioni. Architetture del made in Italy, da Adriano Olivetti alla Green Economy”. Nel padiglione sono raccontati alcuni esempi di “architettura sensibile” come approccio possibile durante la crisi e come esempio di intervento per il futuro. Il progetto di recupero della storica borgata di Paraloup Paraloup opera del prof. Daniele Regis con Giovanni Barberis, Dario Castellino, Valeria Cottino era protagonista dell’ esposizione in una speciale installazione
Numerical experiments on overhanging parapets under non-breaking wave conditions
No full textSea-wall and storm-wall structures aim to protect coastal areas and harbours from wave attacks. They are often located in the neighbours of city centres, that in turn impose rather severe visual limits affecting the maximum height of the structure. To combine the architectonical visual restrictions and the overtopping safety limits, imposed by different national standards, alternative solutions such as recurved parapet are often applied.
Even for non-breaking wave conditions, these structures are subjected to large impulsive pressure that has been recently described and named as Confined-Crest impact, (C-CI, Castellino et al., 2018). The C-CI has been the cause of recent failures such as in the Civitavecchia harbour (Italy, Castellino et al., 2021 and Dermentzoglou et al., 2020). Accordingly, this phenomenon raised the attention of researchers and professionals who require an additional tool to design these curvilinear structures by considering the overtopping reduction performance, the structure complexity and the C-CI
Confined-Crest Impact: The Influence of the Toe Berm on the Impulsive Forces
No full textThe primary function of composite vertical breakwaters is to shield harbor basins from incoming waves and currents. To ensure high hydraulic efficiency, recurved parapets are commonly employed to mitigate the wave overtopping phenomenon. However, these breakwaters are typically used in locations characterized by high water depth. In such settings, nonbreaking waves form on the seaward side of the structure, leading to a phenomenon known as "Confined-Crest Impact"(referred to as "C-CI"hereafter). This phenomenon arises from the interaction between nonbreaking waves and overhanging structures. As presented in previous research works, the same author showed a method for considering the pressure increment induced by the "C-CI"using empirical relationships. However, these tools were unable to predict pressure increments in the presence of submerged berms. Nevertheless, vertical breakwaters commonly feature a berm designed primarily for seabed leveling. Particularly in areas with deep seabeds, the berm serves the purpose of diminishing the caisson height. The presence of the berm amplifies shoaling effects, leading to an increase in free surface velocity and, consequently, a rise in excess pressure induced by the "C-CI"in the presence of a recurved parapet. For this reason, this research specifically focuses on investigating the influence of the toe berm on "C-CI."A series of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations have been conducted to analyze how changing the height of the toe berm affects the loading conditions on the recurved parapet. The geometrical configuration of the toe berm has been selected based on the "Parameter Map"outlined in the PROVERBS manual. As a main result, the intensity of "C-CI"tends to increase as the height of the toe berm increases. This is mainly due to the shoaling effect induced by the berm, as the steepness of the waves increases. A new empirical formula has been developed, with the purpose of determining the coefficient required to apply in Goda's formulas, enabling the estimation of pressure distribution along the structure in presence of berms. © 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers
Confined-Crest Impact: The Influence of the Toe Berm on the Impulsive Load Conditions
No full textComposite vertical breakwaters are coastal structures used to defend port basins from waves in intermediate and deep water conditions. In order to safely use the inner side of harbors, it is important to limit wave overtopping. Parapet walls are used for this purpose. To improve the hydraulic efficiency of the parapet wall with a fixed crown wall height, the wall can be shaped giving rise to a recurved overhand toward the sea. Its function is to deflect back the incident waves. Recently, it has been shown that the interaction between non-breaking waves and recurved parapet can induce impulsive pressures due to the confinement of the incident wave crest deflected seaward by the overhanging structure. The new physical phenomenon has been called “Confined-Crest Impact (C-CI)” as shown by Castellino et al. 2018. This physical phenomenon can induce “unexpected” structural failure (Dermentzoglou et al., 2020). More recently, Castellino et al. (2021) extended the Goda’s formulae, which define the maximum pressures along a vertical breakwater, considering the “C-CI” induced by the presence of a recurved parapet. The conducted studies have concerned a vertical breakwater without any berm at the toe of the caisson. The purpose of this research is to extend this last work to a composite vertical breakwater based on a foundation berm
The rise of fabricated majoritarianism: How nationalism based on ‘othering’ in democracies at times of scarcity is exacerbating existential threats to minorities
No full textWhile calls for system change ring loudly, the appetite for such change is defeated by vested interests. Set against the backdrop of climate crisis–induced scarcity, this chapter shows how fabricated majoritarianism driven by nationalism heightens existential risks to global minorities. It reflects how the last system reset (i.e. decolonisation) set in motion the inevitable consequences faced today, best reflected in the litmus test of minority treatment. Portraying decolonisation as akin to privatisation of an asset where hegemony is retained through majorities and preferential access, the chapter explains why the State, as currently configured, is unlikely to achieve the change needed. Drawing on older, pre-colonial histories, the chapter argues for a recalibration stemming from a sub-regional approach based on functionality rather than identity politics as a key element for securing a different future trajectory
Study and experimentation for a controlled laser cleaning of feathers
No full textThis work focuses on the scientific experimentation and practical application
of a laser cleaning methodology for the macaw (Ara ararauna) feathers of an ethnographic
bow with arrows from the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the University of
Turin. The fragility of the object and its unique degradation characteristics suggested the use
of a very selective physical method, such as laser cleaning. Prior to the intervention,
a comprehensive systematic experimentation phase was conducted including commonly used
diagnostic techniques along with a rarely employed analysis for cultural heritage characterization: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The aim of the experimentation was to gain
a deeper understanding of the physical-chemical effects of laser irradiation. Through
a dedicated experimental setup, optimal operating parameters for laser treatment of macaw
feathers were determined. XPS analysis enabled the examination of the treated material and
the assessment of potential surface alterations, thus allowing to precisely define the damage
threshold. Following the comparison of different Nd:YAG(1064 nm) lasers, the Long
Q-Switched mode provided better results and it was selected for the overall intervention. This
laser ensures effective removal of deposits, selectivity and respect of the fragile substrate
Effects of plasma amino acid and hormone levels on renal hemodynamics in humans
No full textThe effect of plasma amino acid and hormone (insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone) levels on renal hemodynamics was studied in 18 healthy subjects. The following four protocols were employed: study 1, a balanced amino acid solution was infused for 3 h to increase plasma amino acid concentrations two to three times base line; study 2, the same amino acid solution was infused with somatostatin (SRIF) and infusions of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone were concomitantly administered to replace the time sequence of increase in peripheral concentrations of these hormones as observed during study 1; study 3, the same amino acid infusion was administered with SRIF plus infusions of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone to maintain plasma hormone concentrations constant at the basal level; study 4, SRIF was infused with insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone to reproduce the time sequence of increase of these hormones as observed in study 1; amino acids were not infused in this study. During study 1, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) rose by 19 and 21%, respectively. During study 2 both the time sequence of and magnitude of rise in GFR and in RPF were similar to the changes observed during study 1. In studies 3 and 4 neither RPF and GFR changed significantly from base line. These results indicate that 1) hyperaminoacidemia stimulates insulin/glucagon/growth hormone secretion and causes a modest rise in GFR and RPF; and 2) if hyperaminoacidemia is created while maintaining basal hormone levels constant or if plasma insulin/glucagon/growth hormone levels are increased while maintaining the plasma amino acid concentration at basal levels, neither RPF nor GFR rise. We conclude that the renal hemodynamic response following amino acid infusion is dependent on the release of some factor whose release is inhibited by somatostatin and restored by combined insulin/glucagon/growth hormone replacement
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Mitomycin C in highly myopic eyes - Author reply
No full textOphthalmology. 2005 Feb;112(2):208-18; discussion 219.
Mitomycin C modulation of corneal wound healing after photorefractive keratectomy in highly myopic eyes.
Gambato C, Ghirlando A, Moretto E, Busato F, Midena E.
SourceRefractive Surgery Service and Antimetabolite Therapy Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of topical mitomycin C in corneal wound healing (CWH) after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in highly myopic eyes.
DESIGN: Prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial.
PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients affected by high (>7 diopters) myopia.
METHODS: In each patient, one eye was randomly assigned to PRK with intraoperative topical 0.02% mitomycin C application, and the fellow eye was treated with a placebo. Postoperatively, mitomycin C-treated eyes received artificial tears (3 times daily, tapered in 3 months), whereas the fellow eye was treated with fluorometholone sodium 2% and artificial tears (3 times daily, tapered in 3 months).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, manifest refraction, and biomicroscopy. Contrast sensitivity was determined using the Pelli-Robson chart. Corneal confocal microscopy documented CWH.
RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 18 months (range, 12-36). No side effects or toxic effects were documented. At 12-month follow-up examination, UCVAs (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) were 0.4+/-0.48 and 0.5+/-0.53 (P = .03) in mitomycin C-treated eyes and corticosteroid-treated eyes, respectively. At 1 year, corneal haze developed in 20% of corticosteroid-treated eyes, versus 0% of mitomycin C-treated eyes. At 12, 24, and 36 months, corneal confocal microscopy showed activated keratocytes and extracellular matrix significantly more evident in untreated eyes (Ps = 0.004, 0.024, and 0.046, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Topical intraoperative application of 0.02% mitomycin C can reduce haze formation in highly myopic eyes undergoing PRK.
Comment in
Ophthalmology. 2006 Feb;113(2):357; author reply 357-8
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