Modelling process knowledge in architectural design: A case-based approach

The paper presents on-going research aimed at the understanding and support of process knowledge in architectural design, from early and not sufficiently defined, to satisfactorily-defined phases. Today, technical, planning, management and environmental issues have created a scenario of such complexity that traditionally efficient control tools (e.g. technical manuals) are inadequate and there is a demand for new, integrated instruments to handle the decision process underlying architectural design. We assume design as a recursive and incrementally specified intentional planning activity, involving goals, constraints and their relationships. The essence of architectural design is thus encapsulated in the continual recursive transformation of the initial model, in order to map the desired state onto the enacted one. On the basis of this concept of design we describe the model of an environment aimed at progressively representing the enlarging space of acquired knowledge, and at supporting the designer's central role in the management of complexity

Rilievo integrato e BIM del Chiostro Piccolo della Certosa di Pavia

Il Chiostro Piccolo della Certosa di Pavia si propone come straordinario esempio di declinazione dei valori plastico-spaziali del primo Rinascimento entro la tradizione costruttiva propria del cantiere gotico Lombardo. L’adozione di procedure di rilevamento che hanno integrato i tradizionali sistemi fotogrammetrici con la fotomodellazione digitale hanno consentito la realizzazione di un modello digitale virtuale BIM, quale strumento di rappresentazione, indagine ed elaborazione del progetto di conservazione, al servizio della conoscenza, della gestione e la valorizzazione degli edifici monumentali.The Chiostro Piccolo (Small Cloister) of Certosa di Pavia represents an extraordinary example of declination of early Renaissance sculptural and spatial values in the context of the Lombard Gothic building tradition. Adopting surveying procedures which have integrated the traditional photogrammetric systems with digital photomodelling allowed to realize a BIM-Building Information Model, as an instrument of representation, investigation and processing of the conservation project, for knowledge, management and the enhancement of Historical artifacts

Mitral valve repair or replacement for ischemic mitral regurgitation? the Italian Study on the Treatment of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation (ISTIMIR)

Objective: It is uncertain whether mitral valve replacement is really inferior to mitral valve repair for the treatment of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. This multicenter study aimed at providing a contribution to this issue. Methods: Of 1006 patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and impaired left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 40%) operated on at 13 Italian institutions between 1996 and 2011, 298 (29.6%) underwent mitral valve replacement whereas 708 (70.4%) received mitral valve repair. Propensity scores were calculated by a nonparsimonious multivariable logistic regression, and 244 pairs of patients were matched successfully using calipers of width 0.2 standard deviation of the logit of the propensity scores. The postmatching median standardized difference was 0.024 (range, 0-0.037) and in none of the covariates did it exceed 10%. Results: Early deaths were 3.3% (n = 8) in mitral valve repair versus 5.3% (n = 13) in mitral valve replacement (P = .32). Eight-year survival was 81.6% \ub1 2.8% and 79.6% \ub1 4.8% (P = .42), respectively. Actual freedom from all-cause reoperation and valve-related reoperation were 64.3% \ub1 4.3% versus 80% \ub1 4.1%, and 71.3% \ub1 3.5% versus 85.5% \ub1 3.9 in mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement, respectively (P < .001). Actual freedom from all valve-related complications was 68.3% \ub1 3.1% versus 69.9% \ub1 3.3% in mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement, respectively (P = .78). Left ventricular function did not improved significantly, and it was comparable in the 2 groups postoperatively (36.9% vs 38.5%, P = .66). At competing regression analysis, mitral valve repair was a strong predictor of reoperation (hazard ratio, 2.84; P < .001). Conclusions: Mitral valve replacement is a suitable option for patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and impaired left ventricular function. It provides better results in terms of freedom from reoperation with comparable valve-related complication rates. Copyright \ua9 2013 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery