Validation of openfresco-based thermomechanical hybrid simulation to address an earthquake-fire coupled problem

A new hybrid simulation platform for addressing thermomechanical coupled problems has been introduced in OpenFresco. This middleware resides between a numerical substructure (NS) and a physical substructure (PS) in a hybrid simulation and provides the means of communicating between the two. Whereas previously, this communication was restricted to mechanical loads, the new OpenFresco thermomechanical hybrid simulation (TMHS) capability additionally provides thermal degrees of freedom and temperature loads in the hybrid model. TMHS was implemented at the ETH Zürich IBK Structural Testing Laboratory. It provides a platform for addressing mechanical-fire coupled problems, and in particular, earthquake-fire problems. The test presented herein demonstrates the capability of TMHS to simulate structural response to multi-hazard scenarios. The hybrid model consists of two elements. The NS is modeled in OpenSees. The PS is enclosed in a furnace placed in a universal testing machine. The hybrid model is first exposed to a ground motion excitation, applied mechanically by the universal testing machine, followed by a fire load specified by a fire cure and applied by the furnace. After completion of the fire loading and some cooling, a ground motion aftershock is applied to the hybrid model. The entire loading sequence is fully automated, so no user interaction is necessary except to open the doors of the furnace for the cooling phase. Demonstrating this successful investigation of the earthquake-fire coupled problem opens the possibilities for future investigations with more complex models and larger-scale tests

p-TSA-Based DESs as “Active Green Solvents” for Microwave Enhanced Cyclization of 2-Alkynyl-(hetero)-arylcarboxylates: an Alternative Access to 6-Substituted 3,4-Fused 2-Pyranones

In this paper, we describe the use of p-TSA based Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) as alternative environmental-friendly \u201cactive\u201d solvents for the microwave-mediated synthesis of 6-substituted 3,4-fused 2-pyranones, and in particular isocoumarins, starting from 2-alkynyl-(hetero)arylcarboxylates. When the alkyne terminus bears a neutral or an electron-donating group (EDG), the reactions are fast, clean and highly regioselective, to give the 6-endo-dig cyclization products in good to excellent yields. For substrates bearing an electron-withdrawing group (EWG) on the alkyne end, the regioselectivity can be tuned by adding a small amount of silver(I) triflate as co-catalyst. DES was demonstrated to be reusable without loss of efficiency in terms of reaction yields. Based on experimental evidences and previous findings, two competitive mechanisms working simultaneously are proposed to explain the outcomes and the regioselectivity issues

Geocentric Gestures as a Research Tool

This study1 is part of a large-scale cross-cultural research project on the development of spatial language and cognition, in India, Indonesia and Nepal, that focuses on a culturally particular way of organizing small-scale, table space, using a large-scale geocentric spatial orientation system (Dasen & Mishra, in preparation). One of the main questions is at what age this geocentric frame of reference starts to be effective. The study of language development does not provide a clear answer, because young children (ages 4 to 7) use ambiguous “deictic” descriptions, i.e., they just say “this way” accompanied by a gesture. Can these gestures be used to clarify the meaning of language? To answer this question, 234 video recordings of Nepalese children performing the “Perspectives” task (in which they have to describe the location of three objects placed on a table in front of them, under three different conditions) were analyzed separately for both language and gestures. The results show a good correspondence between language and gestures in 9 to 12 year olds. This allows us to interpret further the frame of reference used by the younger children. Out of 367 items on which young children (4 to 9 years) give an ambiguous deictic answer, only 17% are accompanied with an egocentric gesture, and 83% with a geocentric one (combining 48% large gestures linked to the use of cardinal directions, and 35% medium-large gestures linked to the use of situational local landmarks). This shows that a geocentric frame is at play as early as age 4, even when the child cannot express it clearly in the language

Validation and psychometric evaluation of the Italian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale

Background: The advent of COVID-19 worldwide has led to consequences for people’s health, both physical and psychological, such as fear and anxiety. This is the case in Italy, one of the countries most affected by the pandemic. Given the heightened fear concerning COVID-19 in Italy., the present study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Methods: The sample comprised 250 Italian participants who were administered Italian versions of the FCV-19S, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Severity Measure for Specific Phobia–Adult (SMSP-A). Several psychometric tests were performed to investigate the validity and reliability of the test including confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Analysis of the data showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics and confirmed the scale’s unidimensional properties. The seven FCV-19S items had acceptable correlations with the test total (from .443 to .784). Furthermore, the loadings on the factor were significant and strong (from .684 to .897). The internal consistency was very good (α = .871). Construct validity for the FCV-19S was supported by significant and positive correlations with the HADS (r=.649) and SMSP-A (r=.703). Conclusions: The Italian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale is valid and reliable in assessing fear of COVID-19 among the general Italian population

Design optimization through thermomechanical finite-element analysis of a hybrid piston-clamped anvil cell for nuclear magnetic resonance experiments

The investigation of materials under extreme pressure conditions requires high-performance cells whose design invariably involves trade-offs between the maximum achievable pressure, the allowed sample volume, and the possibility of real-time pressure monitoring. With a newly conceived hybrid piston-clamped anvil cell, we offer a relatively simple and versatile system, suitable for nuclear magnetic resonance experiments up to 4.4 GPa. Finite-element models, taking into account mechanical and thermal conditions, were used to optimize and validate the design prior to the realization of the device. Cell body and gaskets were made of beryllium-copper alloy and the pistons and pusher were made of tungsten carbide, while the anvils consist of zirconium dioxide. The low-temperature pressure cell performance was tested by monitoring in situ the pressure-dependent 63Cu nuclear-quadrupole-resonance signal of Cu2O

Integrated problem-based learning versus lectures: a path analysis modelling of the relationships between educational context and learning approaches.

Students' approaches to learning are central to the process of learning. Previous research has revealed that influencing students' approaches towards deep learning is a complex process and seems much more difficult than expected, even in student-activating learning environments. There is evidence that learning approaches are impacted not only by the learning environment, but also by how students perceive it. However the nature of the links between the environment itself, the way in which it is perceived by students and students' learning approaches is poorly understood. This study aimed at investigating the relationships between students' perception of their educational context and learning approaches in three learning environments differing by their teaching formats (lecture or problem-based-learning PBL) and integration level of the curriculum (traditional or integrated). We tested the hypothesis that a PBL format and an integrated curriculum are associated to deeper approaches to learning and that this is mediated by student perception. The study sample was constituted of 1394 medical students trained respectively in a traditional lecture-based (n = 295), in an integrated lecture-based (n = 612) and in an integrated PBL-based (n = 487) curricula. They completed a survey including the Dundee-Ready-Educational-Environment-Measure (students' perceptions of the educational environment) and the Revised-Study-Process-Questionnaire (learning approaches). Data were analysed by path analysis. The model showed that the learning environment was related to students' learning approaches by two paths, one direct and one mediated via students' perception of their educational context. In the lecture-based curricula students' used deeper approaches when it was integrated and both paths were cumulative. In the PBL-based curriculum students' did not use deeper approaches than with lectures, due to opposite effects of both paths. This study suggested that an integrated lecture-based curriculum was as effective as a PBL curriculum in promoting students' deep learning approaches, reinforcing the importance of integrating the curriculum before choosing the teaching format

Rational design of a user-friendly aptamer/peptide-based device for the detection of staphylococcus aureus

The urgent need to develop a detection system for Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common causes of infection, is prompting research towards novel approaches and devices, with a particular focus on point-of-care analysis. Biosensors are promising systems to achieve this aim. We coupled the selectivity and affinity of aptamers, short nucleic acids sequences able to recognize specific epitopes on bacterial surface, immobilized at high density on a nanostructured zirconium dioxide surface, with the rational design of specifically interacting fluorescent peptides to assemble an easy-to-use detection device. We show that the displacement of fluorescent peptides upon the competitive binding of S. aureus to immobilized aptamers can be detected and quantified through fluorescence loss. This approach could be also applied to the detection of other bacterial species once aptamers interacting with specific antigens will be identified, allowing the development of a platform for easy detection of a pathogen without requiring access to a healthcare environment

MediaChrom: exploring a new family of pyrimidoindolone-based polarity-sensitive dyes

The modern biological research asks for a continuous development of new fluorescent dyes characterized by improved performances and suitable to be used as markers or probes [1]. A particular class of dyes, called polarity-sensitive dyes have the unique features to display a different emission maximum as a function of the polarity of their molecular environment (media). This peculiarity makes polarity-sensitive dyes the ideal probes to monitor the local properties of particular cell districts as well as different type of biomolecular interactions [2]. Since many years, we have been interested in the development of new strategies for the synthesis and the functionalization of indoles and polycyclic indole-based heterocycles. In this context, we reported a domino approach to pyrimidoindolones [3] that displayed interesting fluorescence properties. Starting from these findings, a small library of original polarity-sensitive fluorescent dyes, nicknamed MediaChrom, has been prepared [4]. They are characterized by a pyrimidoindolone core fitted out with a conjugated push-pull system, and a linker for an easy coupling with biomolecules. The synthetic strategy involves a highly chemo- and regioselective gold catalyzed cycloisomerization as key step. The photophysical properties of MediaChrom dyes have been evaluated, and some potential biological applications have been spottily investigated. [1] Lakowicz, J. R. Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, 3rd ed.; Springer: New York, 2006. [2] Klymchenko, A. S.; Mely, Y. In: Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, Morris, M.C. Editor(s), Academic Press, 2013, Vol. 113, Cap. 2, 35. [3] Facoetti, D.; Abbiati, G.; d\u2019Avolio, L.; Ackermann, L.; Rossi, E. Synlett 2009, 2273. [4] Dell'Acqua, M.; Ronda, L.; Piano, R.; Pellegrino, S.; Clerici, F.; Rossi, E.; Mozzarelli, A.; Gelmi, M. L.; Abbiati, G. J. Org. Chem. 2015, 21, 10939. This work has been supported by Fondazione Cariplo, Grant No. 2012-0907

Validation and psychometric evaluation of the Italian version of the Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale

Excessive problematic sexual behavior in the form of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), hypersexuality (HS), and sex addiction has gained increasing credibility in recent years and has led to the development of various psychometric instruments to assess such behavior. However, there is still considerable controversy over the operational definition of such concepts and whether they can be used interchangeably to describe the behavior. One recently developed tool is the Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS) based on the “components model of addiction.” The present study validated the Italian version of the BYSAS. The BYSAS was administered to a large Italian-speaking sample of Italian adults [N = 1230, aged 18 to 67 years] along with psychometric instruments assessing the “Big Five” personality traits, self-esteem, depression, and two other measures of addictive sexual behavior (i.e., PATHOS and Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire–Sex Subscale). Confirmatory factorial analysis supported a one-factor solution. Furthermore, the scale had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.787). The BYSAS was positively associated with extroversion, openness to experience, depression, and problematic sexual behavior, and negatively associated with self-esteem, conscientiousness, emotional stability, agreeableness, and age. Based on the findings, the BYSAS is a brief, psychometrically reliable and valid measure for assessing sex addiction among Italian adults

Between a rock and a hard place: Environmental and engineering considerations when designing coastal defence structures

Coastal defence structures are proliferating as a result of rising sea levels and stormier seas. With the realisation that most coastal infrastructure cannot be lost or removed, research is required into ways that coastal defence structures can be built to meet engineering requirements, whilst also providing relevant ecosystem services—so-called ecological engineering. This approach requires an understanding of the types of assemblages and their functional roles that are desirable and feasible in these novel ecosystems. We review the major impacts coastal defence structures have on surrounding environments and recent experiments informing building coastal defences in a more ecologically sustainable manner. We summarise research carried out during the THESEUS project (2009–2014) which optimised the design of coastal defence structures with the aim to conserve or restore native species diversity. Native biodiversity could be manipulated on defence structures through various interventions: we created artificial rock pools, pits and crevices on breakwaters; we deployed a precast habitat enhancement unit in a coastal defence scheme; we tested the use of a mixture of stone sizes in gabion baskets; and we gardened native habitat-forming species, such as threatened canopy-forming algae on coastal defence structures. Finally, we outline guidelines and recommendations to provide multiple ecosystem services while maintaining engineering efficacy. This work demonstrated that simple enhancement methods can be cost-effective measures to manage local biodiversity. Care is required, however, in the wholesale implementation of these recommendations without full consideration of the desired effects and overall management goals