164 research outputs found
Which Is the Correct Form of the Popular Name for Our Galaxy: Kumova Slama or Kumovska Slama?
No full textThe paper discusses the formational suffix in the generally accepted Croatian name for our galaxy, the Milky Way. Since there are two forms that occur in normative handbooks: Kumova Slama and Kumovska Slama, the woman author comments the use and the meaning
of the suffixes -ov and -ski for the formation of adjective
A comparison between the SLaMA method and NLFEA for 2D and 3D analyses of masonry structure
No full textEach year, the province of Groningen experiences many induced earthquakes due gas extraction, which has been ongoing since 1963. The earthquakes cause damage to the buildings situated in the Groningen area, and they constitute a potential danger for the safety of the residents. These buildings are typically unreinforced masonry structures which are designed without knowledge of the presence of seismic activity in this area. It is therefore essential develop and use assessment methods that are on one end reliable and accurate, but on the other hand allow to perform a large number of assessments of the vulnerability of the buildings in a short time. In other words, the assessment of all the buildings requires a quick and reliable assessment method. Such an assessment method should offer a strong understanding of the occurring failure mechanism during an earthquake, an acceptable prediction of the ground acceleration at which the collapse of the building may occur (maximum base shear force) and the displacement capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM) building. The NPR9998 recommends four seismic assessment approaches, which differ in complexity and assessment time needed to be performed. The most comprehensive and time-consuming assessment method is the NLTHA (nonlinear time history analysis), which includes both the dynamic and nonlinear effects. In practice, this method is used only in special cases, such as in the case of monumental buildings. A simpler approach is the NLPO (nonlinear pushover) analysis, which is static and considers the nonlinear properties of the structure. An NLPO is less time consuming than an NLTHA, even when the finite element method (FEM) is considered. A more simplified approach is the Simple Lateral Mechanism Analysis (SLaMA). This method is a simplified mechanism-based analytical approach. If the SLaMA method predicts realistically conservative global capacities, it could serve as an effective alternative assessment method for URM buildings, and especially to the NLPO FEM analysis. This study focusses on the comparison between the SLaMA method and the NLPO FEM analysis. Therefore, this study aims to answer the following research question: Could the SLaMA method be a realistically conservative and effective alternative to the NLPO FEM analysis in making a seismic assessment for two-storey unreinforced masonry buildings? In conclusion, the SLaMA method could be a realistically conservative and effective alternative to the NLPO FEM analysis in predicting the maximum base shear force. The displacement capacity predicted using the SLaMA method is validated only for buildings with RC floors. This predicted SLaMA method was realistically conservative compared with the ultimate displacement achieved using the NLPO FEM analysis. The SLaMA method is overall suitable for obtaining a quick understanding of the behaviour of an URM building. However, it requires a proper evaluation of the analyses to identify properly the type and the location of the failure mechanisms. For this reason, this method could be valuable to be applied before using a more complex assessment method.<br/
A Framework and Tool for Knowledge-Based Seismic Risk Assessment of School Buildings: SLaMA-School
No full textWhen dealing with seismic risk assessment at a large scale, the collection of relevant building data is still deemed a challenging task, often leading to limited building knowledge and, consequently, high uncertainties. Therefore, innovative yet standardized frameworks and adaptive tools are needed to support the seismic risk assessment of buildings. Towards this goal, this paper proposes a simplified multi-knowledge seismic assessment methodology involving the analytical-mechanical SLaMA (Simple Lateral Mechanism Analysis) method. An ad-hoc data collection form is first developed to identify the building vulnerabilities by merging and building on existing institutional forms at the international level and integrating new input data. The data are then used to implement the SLaMA-based methodology, at different building knowledge levels, to assess the seismic safety and the economic losses of buildings. The proposed data structure and approach is planned to be included in the “Seismic-Response” module for PELL (Public Energy Living Lab)-School platform, aiming to become a standardized and interoperable database for relevant data of Italian schools and a dashboard for allowing stakeholders to continuously monitor their energetic and static/seismic conditions. The paper discusses the potential and effectiveness of the proposed procedure for large-scale applications and its integration into platforms assessing the energy efficiency of buildings.Structural Design & Mechanic
The atomistic modeling of light-harvesting complexes from the physical models to the computational protocol
No full textThe function of light-harvesting complexes is determined by a complex network of dynamic interactions among all the different components: the aggregate of pigments, the protein, and the surrounding environment. Complete and reliable predictions on these types of composite systems can be only achieved with an atomistic description. In the last few decades, there have been important advances in the atomistic modeling of light-harvesting complexes. These advances have involved both the completeness of the physical models and the accuracy and effectiveness of the computational protocols. In this Perspective, we present an overview of the main theoretical and computational breakthroughs attained so far in the field, with particular focus on the important role played by the protein and its dynamics. We then discuss the open problems in their accurate modeling that still need to be addressed. To illustrate an effective computational workflow for the modeling of light harvesting complexes, we take as an example the plant antenna complex CP29 and its H111N mutant. (c) 2022 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).2022 Author(s)
Environmental and Genetic Traffic in the Journey from Sperm to Offspring
No full textRecent advancements in the understanding of how sperm develop into offspring have shown complex interactions between environmental influences and genetic factors. The past decade, marked by a research surge, has not only highlighted the profound impact of paternal contributions on fertility and reproductive outcomes but also revolutionized our comprehension by unveiling how parental factors sculpt traits in successive generations through mechanisms that extend beyond traditional inheritance patterns. Studies have shown that offspring are more susceptible to environmental factors, especially during critical phases of growth. While these factors are broadly detrimental to health, their effects are especially acute during these periods. Moving beyond the immutable nature of the genome, the epigenetic profile of cells emerges as a dynamic architecture. This flexibility renders it susceptible to environmental disruptions. The primary objective of this review is to shed light on the diverse processes through which environmental agents affect male reproductive capacity. Additionally, it explores the consequences of paternal environmental interactions, demonstrating how interactions can reverberate in the offspring. It encompasses direct genetic changes as well as a broad spectrum of epigenetic adaptations. By consolidating current empirically supported research, it offers an exhaustive perspective on the interwoven trajectories of the environment, genetics, and epigenetics in the elaborate transition from sperm to offspring
Erratum to: Review of the nutritional benefits and risks related to intense sweeteners
No full textUnfortunately, the original version of this article [1] contained an error. The author’s names were included incorrectly, the surnames were presented before the forename: Bruyère Olivier, Ahmed H. Serge, Atlan Catherine, Belegaud Jacques, Bortolotti Murielle, Canivenc-Lavier Marie-Chantal, Charrière Sybil, Girardet Jean-Philippe, Houdart Sabine, Kalonji Esther, Nadaud Perrine, Rajas Fabienne, Slama Gérard and Margaritis Irène The author list has been corrected in the original article and is also included correctly below: Olivier Bruyère, Serge H. Ahmed, Catherine Atlan, Jacques Belegaud, Murielle Bortolotti, Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier, Sybil Charrière, Jean-Philippe Girardet, Sabine Houdart, Esther Kalonji, Perrine Nadaud, Fabienne Rajas, Gérard Slama, Irène Margaritis.International audienc
Erratum to: Review of the nutritional benefits and risks related to intense sweeteners
No full textUnfortunately, the original version of this article [1] contained an error. The author’s names were included incorrectly, the surnames were presented before the forename: Bruyère Olivier, Ahmed H. Serge, Atlan Catherine, Belegaud Jacques, Bortolotti Murielle, Canivenc-Lavier Marie-Chantal, Charrière Sybil, Girardet Jean-Philippe, Houdart Sabine, Kalonji Esther, Nadaud Perrine, Rajas Fabienne, Slama Gérard and Margaritis Irène The author list has been corrected in the original article and is also included correctly below: Olivier Bruyère, Serge H. Ahmed, Catherine Atlan, Jacques Belegaud, Murielle Bortolotti, Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier, Sybil Charrière, Jean-Philippe Girardet, Sabine Houdart, Esther Kalonji, Perrine Nadaud, Fabienne Rajas, Gérard Slama, Irène Margaritis.International audienc
Erratum to: Review of the nutritional benefits and risks related to intense sweeteners
No full textUnfortunately, the original version of this article [1] contained an error. The author’s names were included incorrectly, the surnames were presented before the forename: Bruyère Olivier, Ahmed H. Serge, Atlan Catherine, Belegaud Jacques, Bortolotti Murielle, Canivenc-Lavier Marie-Chantal, Charrière Sybil, Girardet Jean-Philippe, Houdart Sabine, Kalonji Esther, Nadaud Perrine, Rajas Fabienne, Slama Gérard and Margaritis Irène The author list has been corrected in the original article and is also included correctly below: Olivier Bruyère, Serge H. Ahmed, Catherine Atlan, Jacques Belegaud, Murielle Bortolotti, Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier, Sybil Charrière, Jean-Philippe Girardet, Sabine Houdart, Esther Kalonji, Perrine Nadaud, Fabienne Rajas, Gérard Slama, Irène Margaritis.International audienc
Influence of Geometrical irregularities on the in-plane behaviour of a masonry wall façade in macro-element based and analytical mechanism based analyses
No full textThe seismic assessment of unreinforced masonry structures in Groningen is still ongoing. The assessment is vital to determine whether a building must be strengthened or not. Different assessment approaches have been followed in recent years. First, the Non Linear Time-History analyses (NLTHA) were initially the only approach used for the seismic assessment. They are still overall the most accurate type of assessment, but they are also the most time-consuming one. Nowadays, NLPO analyses are more frequently used. This assessment procedure presents some limitations of application and may be less accurate for complex structures but it requires less computational time. The NLPO analyses can be performed by means of different tools, such as analyses based on the finite element method (FEM), equivalent frame (EF) or macro-element based analyses and, eventually, also analytical mechanism based analyses. The SLaMA method belongs to this last category: this method is an analytical approach already tested and validated in New Zealand for RC structures. This research aims to answer the following research question:• How is the in-plane behaviour of single-storey URM wall facades affected in simplified calculation methods compared to FEM when geometrical irregularities are present? The walls have been modelled in 2D with three different methods: FEM, EF and SLaMA. Material properties and modelling assumptions were maintained as consistent as possible within the three different methods. For researching the influence of the geometrical irregularities on the accuracy of EF and SLaMA when compared to FEM, the variation of geometrical irregularities, each quantified by an index value, have been studied. The influence of these indices on the accuracy of the calculation methods has been researched with a sensitivity analysis.The objective has been pursued by looking into single-floor URM façades, and the conclusions of this research can be applied to this typology of walls in Groningen made of solid clay brick masonry (pre 1945). The study focuses specifically on the base shear capacity of the walls.The differences observed when comparing the in-plane behaviour of a wall analysed with 3MURI and DIANA are not significantly affected by the presence of geometrical irregularities. The ratio between the base shear capacity computed with the two approaches and the predicted failure mechanisms remains consistent for all geometrical irregularities defined in this report. Similarly, the differences observed when comparing the in-plane behaviour of a wall analysed with SLaMA and DIANA are not largely affected by the presence of geometrical irregularities, since the base shear computed according to SLaMA is consistently lower than that obtained with DIANA. However, the base shear capacity obtained with SLaMA showed large variations between 0.34 and 0.75 with respect to DIANA when implementing geometrical irregularities. The largest variation is obtained when more than a single pier is considered, due to the inability of SLaMA to define the re-distribution of the vertical axial forces in the piers, nor correct boundary conditions at the top of the piers since the constraining action of the spandrel appear underestimate. This affected also the prediction of the failure modes, which differed for the two methods. However, in most of cases flexural failure mode was obtained, and the study should be extended to consider also geometries and loading conditions that cause also the shear failure of the walls.<br/
Immunomodulation of Avian Dendritic Cells under the Induction of Prebiotics
No full textAlthough the immunomodulatory properties of prebiotics were demonstrated many years ago in poultry, not all mechanisms of action are yet clear. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the main antigen-presenting cells orchestrating the immune response in the chicken gastrointestinal tract, and they are the first line of defense in the immune response. Despite the crucial role of DCs in prebiotic immunomodulatory properties, information is lacking about interaction between prebiotics and DCs in an avian model. Mannan-oligosaccharides, β-glucans, fructooligosaccharides, and chitosan-oligosaccharides are the main groups of prebiotics having immunomodulatory properties. Because pathogen-associated molecular patterns on these prebiotics are recognized by many receptors of DCs, prebiotics can mimic activation of DCs by pathogens. Short-chain fatty acids are products of prebiotic fermentation by microbiota, and their anti-inflammatory properties have also been demonstrated in DCs. This review summarizes current knowledge about avian DCs in the gastrointestinal tract, and for the first-time, their role in the immunomodulatory properties of prebiotics within an avian model
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