Progetto di una cupola reticolare per la copertura di un planetario con annesso museo astronomico

Sommario: La presente tesi affronta lo studio, la progettazione ed il montaggio di una cupola reticolare sferica metallica a strato semplice, per la copertura di un Planetario con annesso Museo astronomico. Il complesso si trova nel Comune di Massa (Toscana), occupa una superficie di 2000 mq, ed è sviluppato su due piani. Dopo alcuni cenni sulla storia ed il funzionamento dei planetari, segue una breve descrizione dell’intero progetto architettonico e l’analisi dettagliata delle caratteristiche geometriche e meccaniche della cupola in esame. Infine, si espongono i criteri utilizzati per la sua progettazione ed il montaggio. La cupola è di tipo geodetica a strato semplice, con tassellazione parallela. Ha un diametro di 23 m, ed è realizzata con nodi in acciaio inossidabile, aste in lega di alluminio ed infine pannelli in parte opachi, se realizzati in lamiera di alluminio, o, trasparenti, se in vetro strutturale stratificato. Al suo interno, è prevista una cupola sferica più piccola, con diametro di 21,40 m, e realizzata con pannelli in lamiera di alluminio, che costituisce lo schermo di proiezione. La capienza del Planetario è di 250 posti a sedere. Al progetto si è voluto dare una forma piena di significati. Infatti, l’elemento circolare più grande, dove è collocato il Museo, rappresenta il pianeta; i settori delle corone circolari dove trovano posto le attività complementari e di servizio e la vasca d’acqua, sono gli anelli del pianeta; l’altro elemento circolare, che contiene il Planetario, rappresenta il satellite. Abstract: The present thesis faces the study, the design and the assembling of a metallic spherical dome, for covering a Planetarium associated to an astronomical Museum. The construction is located in Massa (Tuscany), has a surface of 2000 mq, and develops on two plans. After a brief recall about the history and the functions of the planetariums, a short description is given about the architectonic design. After, a detailed description is given about the geometric and mechanical properties of the shell under investigation. Finally, the criteria used for designing and assembling are illustrated. The shell is a simple layer spherical geodesic dome, with parallel tessellation. Its diameter is 23 m. Joints are made of stainless steel, members are in aluminium alloy and, at last, panels are partly opaque, if they are made of aluminium sheet, or, transparent, if they are of stratified structural glass. An inner dome, with diameter of 21,40 m and composed of spherical aluminium panels, constitutes the screen of projection. The Planetarium contains a maximum of 250 people. The architectural complex has a meaningful shape: the larger circular element, where the Museum is placed, represents the planet; the sectors, where complementary activities and the pool are placed, are the rings of the planet; finally, the remaining circular element containing the Planetarium, represents the satellite

Monitoraggio e adeguamento sismico di padiglioni nell'ospedale di Fivizzano (MS)

Nella tesi viene condotta un’analisi di rischio sismico di alcuni padiglioni dell’ospedale di Fivizzano, sito in provincia di Massa-Carrara, e viene avanzata una proposta di adeguamento sismico di uno dei suddetti padiglioni, alla luce dell’attuale D.M. 14/01/2008. Inizialmente si procede con un’indagine storica e delle tecniche costruttive degli edifici, affiancata da un rilievo geometrico-strutturale, al fine di individuare la geometria, i dettagli costruttivi ed i materiali utilizzati. In particolare risulta che i due padiglioni in esame, realizzati in anni diversi e con tecniche e materiali differenti (padiglione E-F in struttura mista muratura-cemento armato e padiglione G in c.a.), costituiscono un’unica unità strutturale. I dati raccolti vengono utilizzati per la successiva modellazione della struttura, su cui vengono eseguite le verifiche per valutare il comportamento dell’organismo edilizio soggetto all’azione sismica e giungere, pertanto, alla determinazione dell’indice di rischio sismico. Infine il padiglione G viene riportato al livello di sicurezza richiesto dalla normativa vigente, tramite due interventi: prima viene eseguito un consolidamento statico con trave rompitratta, per dimezzare i carichi statici sulle travi che non soddisfano le verifiche; poi viene effettuato un adeguamento sismico mediante la realizzazione di un giunto sismico di separazione del padiglione G dalla iniziale unità strutturale, e la costruzione di un sistema di controventamento con controventi metallici a croce di S. Andrea, disposti lungo le due direzioni principali dell’edificio

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Modular Technologies for Zero/low Emissions Ferries and Yachts

This book summarizes some key results of a research project based on an innovative eco-design methodology while delivering a practical critical review of existing approaches for dealing with both Eco-Design and Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Trains before considering a proper understanding of these elements and how to make a proper and critical choice for designing zero/low emissions ships. The authors also illustrate the various and different attempts to integrate zero/low emissions with Operational Specifications and the likely features of these attempts are considered, and the scope for developing “fresh” approaches is then presented. One case example is used to show how the methodology can offer an effective approach for designing and operating ships that can meet improved zero/low emissions requirements. Furthermore, this book will present guidelines for new low-emissions designs for passenger ferries, where the scenarios’ challenging issue is to achieve both and simultaneously: - “ZERO/LOW EMISSIONS” passenger vessels (limiting the negative environmental impact due to gas emissions and fuel consumption) - Operational capability to reach and maintain an acceptable speed to ensure a daily service, competitive with the other modes of transport

Neurological complications after orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The number of orthotopic liver transplantation performed each year is increasing due to increased safety and logistic facilities. Therefore, the importance of reducing adverse events is progressively growing. AIM: To review present knowledge on the neurological complications of orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS: The epidemiology, the clinical features and the pathophysiology of the neurological complications of orthotopic liver transplants, resulting from a systematic review of the literature in the last 25 years, are summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The review highlights that a relevant variety of neurological adverse events can occur in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. The knowledge of neurological complications of orthotopic liver transplantation is important for transplantation teams to reduce their prevalence and improve their management. In addition, the likelihood of neurological adverse effects provides evidence for the need of a careful cognitive and neurological work up of patients in the orthotopic liver transplantation waiting list, in order to recognize and interpret neurological dysfunction occurring after orthotopic liver transplantation

ACE: how Artificial Character Embodiment shapes user behaviour in multi-modal interaction

International audienceThe ACE-how Artifcial Character Embodiment shapes user behavior in multi-modal interactions-workshop aims to bring together researchers, practitioners and experts on the topic of embodiment, to analyze and foster discussion on its efects on user behavior in multi-modal interaction. ACE is aimed at stimulating multidisciplinary discussions on the topic, sharing recent progress, and providing participants with a forum to debate current and future challenges. The workshop includes contributions from computational, neuroscientifc and psychological perspectives, as well as technical applications

Split-brain syndrome after hepatic transplantation: a tacrolimus-related vasculitis?

An unusual case of inter-haemispheric disconnection syndrome occurring in a patient who had undergone hepatic transplantation is presented. The underlying disorder, at first wrongly interpreted as encephalitis, was found to be severe, diffuse cerebral vasculitis. The hypothesis that treatment with tacrolimus might have caused, or at least favoured the vascular damage is discussed

Confounders in the detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a neuropsychological and quantified EEG study

Background and Aims: Chronic alcohol misuse, HCV infection and cirrhosis may cause cognitive alterations. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of alcohol misuse, HCV infection and cirrhosis per se on the neuropsychological and electroencephalogram (EEG) profile and to evaluate the role of alcohol misuse and HCV infections as potential confounding factors in the detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Methods: A comprehensive neuropsychological profile and EEG spectral parameters were obtained in six age‐matched groups of 30 subjects each: (i) HCV‐related hepatitis without cirrhosis, (ii) chronic alcohol abusers, (iii) patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis, (iv) alcohol‐related cirrhosis, (v) cirrhosis not related to alcohol or HCV and (vi) healthy subjects. Cirrhotic patients were matched for MELD score. Results: The factor ‘cirrhosis’ was associated with low Phonemic Verbal Fluency (PVF) and Difference between Trail Making Test B and A (TMT) (B‐A) (P &lt; 0.001). Chronic alcohol misuse was associated with low PVF, TMT (B‐A), Memory with Interference Task at 10 (ITM 10) and 30 s (ITM 30) (all P &lt; 0.05). An interaction was found between the factors ‘cirrhosis’, ‘alcohol misuse’ and tests (P &lt; 0.01). HCV hepatitis reduced ITM 10 (P &lt; 0.05), but no interaction was found between ‘cirrhosis’, ‘HCV infection’ and tests (P = 0.14). The EEG parameters were mainly influenced by ‘cirrhosis’ (P &lt; 0.05), and EEG alterations were more pronounced in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Cirrhosis per se, chronic alcohol misuse and HCV infection were found to be associated with cognitive dysfunction. In patients with cirrhosis, the interaction with alcohol misuse further impinged on brain dysfunction