58 research outputs found
Scan-to-HBIM: integrated survey and information modelling for the documentation of structural damage
No full textThe research presents an experimental approach for the damage documentation of existing structures. The main aim is to identify a methodology from the integrated digital survey (range- and image-based) to BIM to synthesise quantitative information on the existing damage that can be exported for the structural assessments
Integration of Immersive Approaches for Collaborative Processes with Building Information Modeling (BIM) Methodology for the AEC Industry: An Analysis of the Current State and Future Challenges
No full textThis study aims to identify and analyze existing gaps in the integration of immersive approaches for collaborative processes with Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Using a systematic approach that includes metadata analysis and review procedures, we have formulated specific research questions aimed at guiding future investigations into these gaps. Additionally, the analysis generates insights that could guide future research directions and improvements in the field. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of the literature, focusing on the interaction between immersiveness, BIM methodology, and collaborative processes. Data from 2010 to 2023 have been analyzed to ensure relevance and completeness. Our findings reveal current limitations in the field, such as the need for fully integrated prototypes and the execution of empirical studies to clarify operational processes. These limitations serve as the basis for our research questions. The study offers actionable insights that could guide future research and improvements in the AEC sector, particularly in the adoption of immersive technologies. The research underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges to facilitate ongoing development and greater adoption of immersive technologies in the AEC sector
Immersive representation exercise in BIM through the integration of prerequisites and requirements: structuring of an artefact applied to a case study
No full textThis study explores the level of informational granularity required when immersive technologies are integrated into BIM for collaborative processes in public procurement. Despite advancements in immersive technologies and BIM, there is a significant gap in the standardization and structuring of information for immersive experiences in the AEC sector. Current standards and guidelines primarily focus on structuring and organizing data in a traditional digital environment, overlooking immersive aspects such as representation and interaction within immersive ecosystems. This creates a disparity in the effective use of BIM with immersive technologies. The concept of the Immersive Necessity Level was developed with the aim of addressing all the informational gaps required by immersive ecosystems, which are not currently met by the Informational Necessity Level defined by ISO 7817-1. Through three simulations, the study investigates how data specificity and informational granularity influence users’ immersive experiences. The findings highlight the importance of defining clear prerequisites and requirements when outlining an informational framework using immersive technologies in conjunction with BIM methodology. This study aims to bridge this gap by proposing a structured framework to define the levels of immersive necessity in BIM projects. Furthermore, the research identifies challenges and potential improvements for future investigations, contributing to enhancing the standardization and effectiveness of the use of immersive technologies in the AEC sector.
Keywords: AEC industry; augmented reality; Building Information Modeling (BIM); collaborative process; Immersive Technology (ImT); virtual realit
VJEKOSLAV BALIN, HRVATSKI DOMOLJUB I MUČENIK
No full textThe author investigates the conditions in which Vjekoslav Balin from Šibenik grew up, his schooling and his escape into exile, time in refugee camps in Italy, inclusion and engagement in political emigration and his study of sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. Based on the available documentation the author follows Balin’s illegal arrival in Zagreb in 1958, his arrest, inquisition in Belgrade, trial in Šibenik and stay in the prisons on Goli Otok (1959-1965), relocation to the correctional facility in Stara Gradiška at the beginning of 1965 and his murder on 25th September 1965 in the local section of isolation and solitary confinement. The author
investigated everything presented on the basis of available documentation and the testimonies of Vjekoslav Balin's fellow prisoners and sufferers.Autor istražuje prilike u kojima je stasao Vjekoslav Balin iz Šibenika, njegovo školovanje i njegov bijeg u emigraciju, boravak u izbjegličkim logorima u Italiji, uključivanje i angažiranost u političkoj emigraciji te njegov studij kiparstva na Akademiji lijepe umjetnosti u Rimu. Posebno, na osnovi dostupne dokumentacije, prati se Balinov
ilegalni dolazak u Zagreb 1958., njegovo uhićenje, istragu u Beogradu, suđenje u Šibeniku i boravak u kaznionicama na Golom otoku (1959. – 1965.), premještanje u početku 1965. u Kazneno-popravni dom Stara Gradiška te njegovo umorstvo 25. rujna 1965. u tamošnjem Odjelu izolacije i samica. Sve prikazano autor je istražio na osnovi dostupne dokumentacije i svjedočenja zatvorenika supatnika Vjekoslava Balina
OpenBIM-Based Processes in Collaborative VR Environments
No full textThis chapter explores how openBIM standards can be integrated into immersive and collaborative virtual reality (VR) environments to support specific use cases in the construction industry, in line with ISO 19650. It highlights the benefits of VR for intuitive 3D model interaction, understanding complex geometries, integrating diverse media, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The use of open standards such as IFC, BCF, and openCDE ensures interoperability, data traceability, and structured information flows across platforms. VR is positioned not just as a visualization tool, but as an active environment for information production and coordination. Three case studies illustrate how openBIM and VR can effectively converge to improve communication, validation, and decision-making in design and operational processes
Human Virtual Memory CD8+ T cells: the role of cytokines on cell development and functionality
No full textVirtual memory T cells (TVM) are a subset of TCRαβ+CD8+ T cells recently identified in mice that, despite lacking prior antigen exposure, express typical markers of conventional memory T cells and play a protective role during the early phase of inflammatory/infectious processes. They are characterized by a high expression of the transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes). TVM cells have been recently described also in human peripheral blood. Similar to their murine counterparts, human TVM express high levels of Eomes. Unlinke murine TVM, they are divided into two subsets characterized by mutually exclusive expression of NKG2A and KIR.
While murine TVM development has been extensively studied, little is known about the differentiation of these cells in humans. Evidence suggests that, in mice, IL-4, IL-15, and type I interferons (IFN-I) may play a role in this process. To investigate the impact of these cytokines on human thymic and peripheral TVM development, we cultured human pediatric thymocytes and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro with or without these cytokines and analyzed their phenotype using a 27-color spectral flow-cytometry panel.
TCRαβ+CD8+Eomes+ cells developed among thymocytes only in the presence of IL-4 or IL-4+IL-15 after 9 days of in vitro stimulation. Interestingly, these cells were characterized by a naïve phenotype (CD45RA+CD27+CCR7+), lacking the expression of both NKG2A and KIRs. On the other hand, IL-4+IL-15 in vitro-stimulated PBMCs resulted in the expansion of two subsets of TCRαβ+CD8+Eomes+ cells characterized by the expression of either KIRs or NKG2A with a TEMRA (CD45RA+CCR7-) and TEM (CD45RA-CCR7-) phenotype respectively. Notably, we observed that the stimulation with IL-15+IFN-I is necessary by PBMCs to acquire a cytotoxic-potential, evidenced by a high expression of Granzyme B and Perforin.
Overall, our findings indicate that human TVM differentiation is dependent on IL-4+IL-15, while cytotoxic-potential of these cells are sustained by IL-15+IFN-I stimulation
Investigating human KIR+CD8+ and NKG2A+CD8+ T cells biology in peripheral blood and in pediatric thymuses
No full textVirtual memory T cells(TVMs) are a recently described population of TCRαβ+CD8+T cells described in mice that, despite their antigen inexperience, express markers of conventional memory cells1. Recently, two populations of circulating TVMs expressing KIRs or NKG2A have been described also in humans and, as their murine counterpart, human TVMs are characterized by a high expression of the transcription-factor Eomes2.
Contrary to mice, little is known about human TVM thymic development. Few studies suggest a possible role of IL4, IL15 and type-I-interferons(IFNs-I) in TVM development in humans3-4.
To investigate the role of IL4, IL15 and IFNs-I and their combination during thymic development of human TVMs but also in the peripheral counterpart, we stimulated human pediatric thymocytes and adult peripheral-blood-mononuclear-cells (PBMCs) in-vitro, in the presence or absence of these cytokines, and we analyzed the cellular phenotype by flow-cytometry.
After 9 days of thymocyte culture, we observed the development of a population of TCRαβ+CD8+Eomes+cells only in cells cultured with IL4 and IL4+IL15. Unlike their circulating counterpart, these cells were characterized by a naïve phenotype, lacking the expression of NKG2A/KIRs that may possibly be acquired later during their development. Performing similar experiments on PBMCs, we observed that, as in mice, IL4+IL15 stimulation induced the expansion of TCRαβ+CD8+Eomes+cells either expressing KIRs or NKG2A. Moreover, PBMCs stimulated with IL15+IFNs-I showed increased cytotoxic-potential characterized by an increased production of GranzymeB and Perforin.
Altogether, our results demonstrate that, similar to mice, human TVM development is dependent on IL4+IL15 but, TVMs functional properties are sustained by IL15+IFN stimulation
Villa Velo a Fontaniva, un processo inverso dallo stato attuale alle origini del progetto di Carlo Scarpa e la creazione di un archivio digitale tramite la metodologia BIM
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALESebbene Villa Velo non rientri tra le opere più celebri di Carlo Scarpa, questo fu uno dei primi cantieri in cui l’Architetto poté mettere in pratica i suoi archetipi, confrontandosi al contempo con la doppia sfida di intervenire su una struttura esistente e di sperimentare un materiale moderno come il cemento armato. Due tematiche che ricorrono durante tutta la sua esperienza e che qui preannunciano l’attenzione di Scarpa alla fusione tra Artigianalità e Innovazione. L’obiettivo che si pone questa tesi è quello di indagare, attraverso la modellazione parametrica della Villa e più in generale la tecnologia BIM, le potenzialità di questo tipo di approccio parametrico in un ambito di intervento che ha come soggetto il patrimonio costruito. Per la realizzazione del modello HBIM si è scelto di partire da un rilievo laser scanner capace di restituire una nuvola di punti le cui caratteristiche di risoluzione, dettaglio e corrispondenza geometrica fossero adeguate alla sua applicazione in ambiente BIM. La nuvola di punti è stata quindi il dato di input per la realizzazione di un modello semantico di Villa Velo e per dimostrare quanto questo tipo di strumento e di modellazione siano strategici per una sempre più efficiente comprensione del costruito. Il focus principale della tesi sarà quello di verificare come l’utilizzo della tecnologia BIM 4D applicato ad un edificio esistente ne possa supportare la conservazione, la ricostruzione virtuale e la comprensione delle intenzioni progettuali di Scarpa. All’interno di un contesto digitale strutturato per fasi, attraverso un processo a ritroso a livello temporale, sarà quindi portato alla luce il progetto originale dell’Architetto Veneziano, ormai ampiamente modificato e poco riconoscibile ma che mantiene in sé la volontà di essere riscoperto.Although Villa Velo is not among Carlo Scarpa’s most famous works, it was one of the first construction sites where the Architect was able to apply his archetypes while facing the dual challenge of intervening on an existing structure and experimenting with a modern material such as reinforced concrete. These two themes recur throughout his career and, in this case, foreshadow Scarpa’s attention to the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation. The aim of this thesis is to explore, through the parametric modeling of the Villa and, more generally, through BIM technology, the potential of this parametric approach in the context of interventions on built heritage. To develop the HBIM model, a laser scanner survey was chosen as the starting point, providing a point cloud with resolution, detail, and geometric accuracy suitable for its application in a BIM environment. The point cloud thus served as input for creating a semantic model of Villa Velo and demonstrating how this type of tool and modeling approach are strategic for an increasingly efficient understanding of the built environment. The main focus of the thesis is to assess how the use of 4D BIM technology applied to an existing building can support its conservation, virtual reconstruction, and the interpretation of Scarpa’s original design intentions. Within a digitally structured, phase-based context, a reverse chronological process will be employed to uncover the Architect’s original project-now significantly altered and barely recognizable, yet still holding the potential to be rediscovered
Transcriptomic propensity of TNFhigh MAIT cells to provide B cell help following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
No full textRecent findings indicated an association between MAIT cells and the immune response to the BNT162b2 vaccine, where MAIT cell frequency was associated with an increased adaptive immune response.
Herein, to investigate the effect of repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations on MAIT cells, we performed a longitudinal 5’ scRNA-seq coupled with scTCR-seq analysis on the peripheral blood samples of six healthy adults naïve for the SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunized with the two doses of the mRNA-based vaccine BNT162b2. Taking advantages of computational approaches, including functional pathway enrichment analyses and the gene expression–effector cell-polarization’s fate probabilities correlation (RNA Velocity and CellRank), we identified MAIT cells as the major source of TNF-α across circulating lymphocytes, and this TNFhigh signature increased upon the second administration of the vaccine. Notably, the increased TNF-α expression correlated with SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody titers. Therefore, by modeling the intercellular communication with the NicheNet algorithm, we observed that the TNF-α-profile predicts the transcriptional changes of conventional switched memory B cells, deputed to high-affinity long-term memory.
Overall, our results indicate that MAIT cells promote B cell functionality in response to the vaccine, favoring effective and long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting the use of MAIT cells as cellular adjuvants in mRNA-based vaccines
Experiential Learning With Augmented Reality for Cultural Heritage
No full textAugmented reality is a consolidated technology that allows the integration of the
real world with digital elements, creating an interaction between the physical en-
vironment and computer- generated information. The case study presented has as
its object the ancient Borgo Castello of Andora (SV), winner of the PNRR call for
the redevelopment of historic villages. The project saw the study and application of redevelopment interventions for the recovery of the Borgo Castello area. Using laser scanner equipment, drones and Structure from Motion algorithms, the result was a vast database of point clouds and accurate 3D models, useful for understanding the historical evolution of the building. The investigations revealed how the existing walls were derived from the reuse of other pre- existing structures. The chapter presents how starting from three- dimensional models and accurate archaeological investigations it is possible to create augmented reality applications to involve the public and make them participate in the discoveries found
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