Distributed multi-generation systems: energy models and analyses

Libro riguardante la caratterizzazione di sistemi per la produzione combinata di energia da sistemi di multi-generazione distribuita (Distributed Multi-Generation, DMG). Il libro tratta componenti, schemi e modelli di sistemi di multi-generazione distribuita, illustra concetti derivanti da proposte originali degli autori in merito all'analisi e alla pianificazione dei sistemi, con i corrispondenti indicatori energetici e ambientali approccio formulati secondo un approccio unificato. Numerosi esempi applicativi inclusi nel libro riguardano in particolare sistemi di cogenerazione e trigenerazion

simulatori di sistemi di comunicazione su fibra ottica

La tesi rappresenta una ricerca accurata in rete dei principali e più sofisticati software di simulazione di sistemi di comunicazione ottica. Lo sviluppo sempre maggiore e a basso costo di reti di telecomunicazionie, basate su tecniche di trasmissione ottica su fibra, ha spinto le aziende a investire sulla creazione di sistemi software sempre piu’ avanzati in grado di progettare,simulare e analizzare sistemi di comunicazione ottica anche molto complessi. Esistono software in grado di simulare sia l’intero sistema ottico che i singoli dispositivi ottici che lo compongono,come generatori di segnale,laser,modulatori,fibre,ricevitori ottici,amplificatori ottici,multiplatori e altri ancora. In un progetto di sistema di trasmissione,il cui scopo fondamentale è il trasferimento da una sorgente ad un utilizzatore di un segnale portatore di informazione,bisogna sfruttare al massimo e quindi ottimizzare le risorse caratteristiche del mezzo fisico,cioe’ del mezzo portante. E’ proprio grazie a questi software di simulazione che riusciamo ad effettuare previsioni su un particolare collegamento ottico,riuscendo cosi’ ad ottimizzare le risorse a nostra disposizione,diminuendo notevolmente i costi,che invece si avrebbero con delle prove sperimentali. Quindi questa tesi vuole essere una guida,per chiunque fosse interessato,ai principali software di simulazione di questo tipo di sistemi presenti sul mercato. L’uso del linguaggio html rende tale guida di facile utilizzo e di rapida consultazione

NaturWall©: facciate in legno multifunzionali per la riqualificazione del patrimonio edilizio / NaturWall©:multifunctional wood façade in existent building refurbishment

Naturwall© is a research conducted by Politecnico of Turin (DAD) (under supervision of Prof.G.Callegari) and a local PMI support (Natural House, Castellamonte), promoted by Giovanni Goria Foundation "Master dei Talenti" programme. It consists in an innovative energy saving system by using wood multifunctional components for existent buildings . The goal of the project is the refurbishment of the existing building stock which were built from 1950's to 1980's. This stock is not equipped with recent energy requirements. The project aims to create a representative model of solution that will be promoted in Italy. In the field of renovation and refurbishment high energy results and greenhouse gases reduction could be achieved by using multifunctional facade system

I piani settoriali a scala urbana

Il contributo propone un focus su alcuni strumenti di settore che affrontano specifiche tematiche alla scala urbana, con particolare riferimento agli strumenti per la tutela della qualità ambientale e per il governo della mobilità. Si evidenziano, in entrambi i casi, le significative interrelazioni tra problematiche ambientali e scelte relative all’evoluzione/trasformazione dei contesti urbani e al governo della mobilità e la conseguente necessità di una più stretta integrazione tra strumenti generali e settoriali, difficilmente conseguibile attraverso il solo coordinamento a posteriori tra strumenti elaborati separatamente e sulla base di approcci settoriali

Beyond the agricultural sector in Latin America: territorial approaches for rural development

A recent transition in the field of agrarian economics theory for rural development is the move from a narrow agricultural sector approach, to one which adopts broader territorial vision. This passage seeks to interpret interactions between urban and rural worlds in a more comprehensive manner.This relatively new theoretical perspective is of particular interest to academics and politicians in Latin American countries where, since the mid 1990s, the concept of new rurality has been seen as the source of a new approach to rural development. Therefore the theoretical purpose of this research is to clarify the analytical signposts of the new rurality theme in Latin America and to identify the differences between sectoral and territorial approaches considering the socio-economic, institutional and environmental aspects involved. The transition from sectoral to territorial approaches also means, from an operative point of view, the recognition of homogeneous areas for the suggestion of rural development strategies. The operative purpose of this research consists in proposing a methodology to identify these areas with an application in the Maule Region in Chile. The conclusion underlines some critical elements that should be considered in the definition of territorial rural development strategies.sectoral and territorial approaches, rural development policy, new rurality, Latin America, Chile, cluster analysis

Quantum technology: single-photon source

This report is a synthesis of my master thesis internship at the National Institute of Informatics (NII) in Tokyo, Japan, that lasted during the summer of year 2012. I worked in the Quantum Information Science Theory (QIST) group under supervision of Prof. Kae Nemoto and Dr. Simon Devitt. This group works on theoretical and experimental implementations of quantum information science. The aim of my project was to study and improve quantum optical systems. I first studied different fields and systems of quantum information science. Then I focused my research on single-photon sources, entangled photon sources and interferometric photonic switches. Finally, I found some strategies to design an efficient and optimized single-photon source that could be built with today's technologies. This report describes in details the created and optimized design of a single-photon source based on time and space multiplexing of Spontaneous Parametric Downconversion (SPDC) sources.Comment: Research extract of Master thesis report. Defended in September 2012. Declassified by the NII in February 201

Ecological factors affecting Alpine chamois population recruitment: remote sensing can support adaptive management

The analysis of ecological factors able to affect the life history traits of ungulates is important to reveal key information on population dynamics of wild herbivores. As regard to bovids, it is often crucial for juveniles and yearlings to gain quickly body size and mass, as such growths primarily increase chance to reach re- productive maturity (i.e., an increase in the survival probability). Accordingly, we modeled a set of ecological factors accounting for the variation of Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) population recruitment through three indexes: i) the ratio kids/adult females (NK/NF), ii) the ratio yearlings/adult females (NY/NF), and iii) the yearlings eviscerated body mass (YBM). These indexes were derived respectively from block count census and from hunting records in the last 45 years in different ecological contexts in the South-West Trento province. These indexes were associated to forage quality/quantity, winter harshness, and local chamois density. In detail, we considered NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) as a proxy for the quality of Alpine meadows used by chamois in spring and summer and snow cover data belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Ad- ministration (NASA) remote sensing dataset (TERRA-MODIS). The reproductive success of these populations was strongly influenced both by the quality of meadows during births period (May) and by the space-time pattern of growth and maturation of Alpine pastures in spring and summer periods. Even winter harshness played an important role in this process. In particular, i) the NK/NF was positively influenced by the average quality of the grazing season previous to the births period and by the maximum NDVI value recorded in May (i.e., births period); ii) the NY/NF was negatively affected by the extent of snow cover in the first winter of kids and positively related to the average quality of the pasture in the subsequent spring and summer (i.e., the feed intake period in which individuals had to recover weight loss derived from previous winter); and iii) the YBM revealed a negative trend during the study period suggesting a difficult adaptation to climate and environmental changes taking place. Contrary to our expectations, local density was not able to influence these variables. This result may suggest that local density are not exceedingly high in the study area and therefore are not able to promote density dependent phenomena. In conclusion, these results contribute to increase the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying Alpine chamois population dynamics and give insights to plan adaptive management and conservation of this species

DON’T WASTE YOUR VOTE (AGAIN!). THE ITALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT’S DECISION ON ELECTION LAWS: AN EPISODE OF STRICT COMPARATIVE SCRUTINY

With a single judgment (sent. 1/2014), the Italian Constitutional Court has almost revolutionized Parliamentary election law, the national political landscape, the types of controversies with which it deals, and the means through which it reviews domestic legislation. In order to do so, the Court drew from globalized concepts and levels of scrutiny such as the so-called “proportionality test,” making explicit references to foreign decisions, while downplaying the Constitutional Framers’ intention. Although this decision has brought Italy closer in line with the trends that characterize contemporary global constitutionalism, its concrete effects on Italian law and the political system are not so promising or clear. This paper investigates the explicit and implicit sources of inspiration for the decision, its hidden implications, and it resonates with globalized trends in constitutional law