1,011 research outputs found
Mean and Outcomes
No full textThe article explores the role of research in architecture as an intermediate territory between science and art, emphasising the importance of expressive tools such as drawing, writing and typological comparison. Through the concept of ‘archaeology of the design process’, the author reflects on how method, subjectivity and context are indispensable elements in producing results that are original yet open to discussion. Architectural research is seen as a dynamic process, in which the comparison with existing cases and the conscious use of representative tools allow the construction of sharable knowledge that is never definitive
The Redesign of Social Housing Suburbs in Italy: Targeted Actions on Built Heritage
No full textThis research explores strategies for revitalizing decaying public housing neighborhoods in Italy through targeted architectural interventions that respect and adapt the existing built heritage. Emphasizing adaptability, social cohesion, and sustainability, it proposes a model applicable across Europe to respond to evolving social needs and urban transformations
On the generation of synthetic divergence-free homogeneous anisotropic turbulence
No full textIt is well known that the generation of appropriate unsteady boundary conditions represents an important component of successful Large Eddy Simulations in turbulent flows. In particular, when Computational Wind Engineering applications are considered, a recurrent problem consists in imposing turbulent fluctuations characterized by given spectra and length scales at the inlet boundary. In the present contribution, firstly, currently available techniques for the generation of synthetic turbulence are revised with a focus on their mathematical formulation. Then, two new approaches for the generation of homogeneous turbulence are proposed. The first one can be seen as a correction over existing techniques which allows to control the obtained length scales. The second method, conceived to generate anisotropic turbulence characterized by arbitrary harmonic content in both time and space, is designed to be computationally efficient, to guarantee the divergence-free condition and to ensure a good approximation of the resulting turbulence integral scales. Finally, the procedure is validated by synthesizing a homogeneous turbulent field characterized by time and length scales typical of the atmospheric boundary layer showing good results
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) a possible target for the treatment of skin disease
No full textAryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor expressed in all skin cells type. It responds to exogenous and endogenous chemicals by inducing/repressing the expression of several genes with toxic or protective effects in a wide range of species and tissues. In healthy skin, AhR signalling contributes to keratinocytes differentiation, skin barrier function, skin pigmentation, and mediates oxidative stress. In the last years, some studies have shown that AhR seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of some skin diseases, even if the currently available data are contradictory. Indeed, while the blocking the AhR signalling activity could prevent or treat skin cancer, the AhR activation seems to be advantageous for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Therefore, for its multifaceted role in skin diseases, AhR seems to be an attractive therapeutic target. Indeed, recently some molecules have been identified for the prevention of skin cancer and the treatment of inflammatory skin disease
Embryonic chick cocultures of neuronal and muscle cells
No full textObjective: The aim of this report was to set up an effective experimental model of cocultures between cells from spinal cord explants and myotubes from adductor muscle. Methods: We obtained neuronal cells from chick spinal cord explants at embryonic day 5 (ED5) by means of an enzymatic digestion. Small spinal cord fragments were added in cultured muscle cells committed to the differentiative program. Myoblasts were isolated from the chick adductor muscle at ED12. Results and discussion: The validation of the experimental model was confirmed by a remarkable spreading pattern of neuronal cells, labeled with a NF200 antibody, and high concentration of myotubes, marked by α-actinin antibody. The indication of neuronal contacts was highlighted by the α-bungarotoxin. This communication reports one of the few morphologic description of muscular and neuronal coculture preparation, performed on chick embryos. Conclusion: The experimental model presented in this work might be a useful tool to study the cascade of myogenic positive and negative signals activated by paracrine neuronal factors. © 2008 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd
A systematic approach to the generation of synthetic turbulence using spectral methods
No full textIn this paper, a systematic discussion on the generation of synthetic turbulence using spectral methods is presented. After a brief introduction which reviews existing methodologies, the role played by the fulfilment of the divergence-free condition and Taylor assumption is investigated. Special attention is given to the case in which such random fields are applied as inflow condition for Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. Subsequently, a new methodology of general applicability for the generation of synthetic turbulence is proposed. The strength of the new approach lies in its generality and conceptual simplicity. The obtained random field fulfils the divergence-free condition as well as Taylor assumption and it is approximately characterised by preselected spectral content in each spatial direction, so also providing direct control over all turbulence integral scales. Synthetic turbulent fields characterised by different spectral content are generated confirming the soundness of the proposed approach and showing its ability to target strongly anisotropic fields. Finally, some remarks on the generation of inhomogeneous fields, obtained by combination of homogeneous ones, are provided so generalising the proposed procedure
Discovery of a 205.89 Hz accreting millisecond x-ray pulsar in the globular cluster NGC 6440
No full textWe report on the discovery of the second accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar (AMXP) in the globular cluster NGC 6440. Pulsations with a frequency of 205.89 Hz were detected with RXTE on 2009 August 30, October 1 and October 28, during the decays of 4 day outbursts of a newly X-ray transient source in NGC 6440. By studying the Doppler shift of the pulsation frequency, we find that the system is an ultra-compact binary with an orbital period of 57.3 minutes and a projected semimajor axis of 6.22 lt-ms. Based on the mass function, we estimate a lower limit to the mass of the companion to be 0.0067 M ? (assuming a 1.4 M ? neutron star). This new pulsar shows the shortest outburst recurrence time among AMXPs (~1 month). If this behavior does not cease, this AMXP has the potential to be one of the best sources in which to study how the binary system and the neutron star spin evolve. Furthermore, the characteristics of this new source indicate that there might exist a population of AMXPs undergoing weak outbursts which are undetected by current all-sky X-ray monitors. NGC 6440 is the only globular cluster to host two known AMXPs, while no AMXPs have been detected in any other globular cluster
Treatments of the injured tendons in Veterinary Medicine: From scaffolds to adult stem cells
No full textIn order to treat frequently occurring conditions such as traumatic rupture or over-strain tendinopathies, the techniques of tissue engineering and cell-based therapies have become an accepted modus operandi since other available remedies appear to be ineffective in restoring the original structure and function of the injured tissue. However, the mechanisms accounting for the effectiveness of novel regenerative approaches in treating equine tendon and ligament injuries remain poorly characterised. In this review we summarize and discuss the most significant results of our research regarding bioscaffold technology for treating complete tendon tears and the use of adult stem cells for treating tendon lesions induced by over-strain
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