The XII century towers, a benchmark of the Rome countryside almost cancelled. The safeguard plan by low cost uav and terrestrial DSM photogrammetry surveying and 3D Web GIS applications

“Giving a bird-fly look at the Rome countryside, throughout the Middle Age central period, it would show as if the multiple city towers has been widely spread around the territory” on a radial range of maximum thirty kilometers far from the Capitol Hill center (Carocci and Vendittelli, 2004). This is the consequence of the phenomenon identified with the “Incasalamento” neologism, described in depth in the following paper, intended as the general process of expansion of the urban society interests outside the downtown limits, started from the half of the XII and developed through all the XIII century, slowing down and ending in the following years. From the XIX century till today the architectural finds of this reality have raised the interest of many national and international scientists, which aimed to study and catalog them all to create a complete framework that, cause of its extension, didn’t allow yet attempting any element by element detailed analysis. From the described situation has started our plan of intervention, we will apply integrated survey methods and technologies of terrestrial and UAV near stereo-photogrammetry, by the use of low cost drones, more than action cameras and reflex on extensible rods, integrated and referenced with GPS and topographic survey. In the final project we intend to produce some 3D scaled and textured surface models of any artifact (almost two hundreds were firstly observed still standing), to singularly study the dimensions and structure, to analyze the building materials and details and to formulate an hypothesis about any function, based even on the position along the territory. These models, successively georeferenced, will be imported into a 2D and 3D WebGIS and organized in layers made visible on basemaps of reference, as much as on historical maps

Challenges in load balance due to renewable energy sources penetration: The possible role of energy storage technologies relative to the Italian case

With the rapid growth of the electricity produced by RES (renewable energy sources), especially those highly variable and unprogrammable (e.g. wind and solar power), the need of energy system flexibility increases significantly. Since RES currently represent a significant fraction of the power supply, their variable nature poses challenges to power grid operation, such as RES curtail and loss in global efficiency of thermoelectric plants, since they are often operated at part-load as fluctuating back-up power. In particular, thermoelectric plants recently moved their role from base-load power to fluctuating back-up power. Such a cycling operation represents a less obvious effect of grid flexibility requirement due to RES penetration. Main effect is the increment of both energetic costs, due to reduced efficiency operation, and wear-and-tear costs. This aspect is deeply analysed in reference to the Italian electricity generation mix in the period 2008-2012. Moreover, the possible coupling of energy storage systems with thermoelectric plants is highlighted as an alternative solution respect to retrofitting of existing plants

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy study on ammonia-fed Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The use of ammonia as a fuel is one of the promising pathways to decarbonize the energy sector. When ammonia is converted into power in the so-called "Ammonia-to-Power", the most interesting technology is the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) that can operate directly with ammonia and reach high performance in terms of efficiency. SOFCs are a high-efficiency and, potentially, low-cost technology, but still suffer from degradation issues related to internal losses. An innovative experimental technique to evaluate losses evolution caused by degradation is electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), followed by measurement data post-processing through the Distribution of Relaxation Times (DRT) analysis. In this study, a single SOFC is studied with a combined EIS and DRT methodology, when operating with a gas mixture of hydrogen, nitrogen and ammonia. The results identify the contribution to DRT of fuel dilution and the internal ammonia decomposition reaction

Experimental Investigation of Fast−Charging Effect on Aging of Electric Vehicle Li−Ion Batteries

A huge increase in fast−charging stations will be necessary for the transition to EVs. Nevertheless, charging a battery pack at a higher C−rate impacts its state of health, accelerating its degradation. The present paper proposes a different and innovative approach that considers the daily routine of an EV Li−ion battery based on a standard driving cycle, including charging phases when the depth of discharge is 90%. Through dynamic modeling of the EV battery system, the state of charge evolution is determined for different charging C−rates, considering both real discharging and charging current profiles. Finally, by applying a suitable post−processing procedure, aging test features are defined, each being related to a specific EV battery working mode, including charging at a particular C−rate, considering the global battery operation during its lifespan. It is demonstrated that, according to the implemented procedure, fast−charging cycles at 50 kW reduce battery lifespan by about 17% with respect to charge in a 22 kW three−phase AC column, in parity with the discharge rate. Thus, this work can provide a deep insight into the expected massive penetration of electric vehicles, providing an estimate of battery useful life based on charging conditions

The Role of Plasma Transfusion in Massive Bleeding: Protecting the Endothelial Glycocalyx?

Massive hemorrhage is a leading cause of death worldwide. During the last decade several retrospective and some prospective clinical studies have suggested a beneficial effect of early plasma-based resuscitation on survival in trauma patients. The underlying mechanisms are unknown but appear to involve the ability of plasma to preserve the endothelial glycocalyx. In this mini-review, we summarize current knowledge on glycocalyx structure and function, and present data describing the impact of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation fluids on glycocalyx. Animal studies show that hemorrhagic shock leads to glycocalyx shedding, endothelial inflammatory changes, and vascular hyper-permeability. In these animal models, plasma administration preserves glycocalyx integrity and functions better than resuscitation with crystalloids or colloids. In addition, we briefly present data on the possible plasma components responsible for these effects. The endothelial glycocalyx is increasingly recognized as a critical component for the physiological vasculo-endothelial function, which is destroyed in hemorrhagic shock. Interventions for preserving an intact glycocalyx shall improve survival of trauma patients

Double butterfly spectrum for two interacting particles in the Harper model

We study the effect of interparticle interaction $U$ on the spectrum of the Harper model and show that it leads to a pure-point component arising from the multifractal spectrum of non interacting problem. Our numerical studies allow to understand the global structure of the spectrum. Analytical approach developed permits to understand the origin of localized states in the limit of strong interaction $U$ and fine spectral structure for small $U$.Comment: revtex, 4 pages, 5 figure

Two interacting Hofstadter butterflies

The problem of two interacting particles in a quasiperiodic potential is addressed. Using analytical and numerical methods, we explore the spectral properties and eigenstates structure from the weak to the strong interaction case. More precisely, a semiclassical approach based on non commutative geometry techniques permits to understand the intricate structure of such a spectrum. An interaction induced localization effect is furthermore emphasized. We discuss the application of our results on a two-dimensional model of two particles in a uniform magnetic field with on-site interaction.Comment: revtex, 12 pages, 11 figure

Reactive Metals as Energy Storage and Carrier Media: Use of Aluminum for Power Generation in Fuel Cell-Based Power Plants

In recent years, the energy production sector has experienced a growing interest in new energy vectors enabling energy storage and, at the same time, intersectoral energy applications among users. Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy storage and carrier media featuring a very high gravimetric energy density, but a rather low volumetric energy density. To this regard, this study focuses on the use of aluminum as energy storage and carrier medium, offering high volumetric energy density (23.5 kWh L$^{-1}$), ease to transport and stock (e.g., as ingots), and is neither toxic nor dangerous when stored. In addition, mature production and recycling technologies exist for aluminum. Herein, the performance of power systems driven by aluminum powder in terms of electrical efficiency (η$_{(I)}$) and round‐trip efficiency (RTE) is analyzed. Along with the additional advantages relating to high volumetric energy density, and safety and management aspects, the aluminum‐based technology appears to outperform the power‐to‐power systems based on hydrogen and liquid fuels

Hydrological Uncertainty and Hydropower: New Methods to Optimize the Performance of the Plant☆

Abstract Hydrological uncertainty due to daily flow variability and to the effect of climate change on water resources is a critical topic in the feasibility evaluations of hydro-power projects, especially for run-of-river power plant. The effect produced by these factors on the annual energy output of such type of plant was investigated. Empirical methods to improve the performance of the plant are proposed, which enable the choice of the most suitable design flow (Q d ) according to the hydrological features of the river, to the frequency of dry and wet years in the basin and to the target energy production

"Qui abito. A partire dalla scuola: storie di famiglie e di quartiere per immaginare il futuro della comunità": Progetto vincente del Bando pubblico "AxTO" (Azioni per le periferie torinesi).

QUI ABITO. A partire dalla scuola: storie di famiglie e di quartiere per immaginare il futuro della comunità è un progetto destinato al quartiere Vallette per favorire la partecipazione di residenti diversi per origine e generazione che ha come protagonista l’Istituto comprensivo M.D. Turoldo, l’unico esistente sul territorio. Con il coinvolgimento di studenti e insegnanti, e la valorizzazione della loro attività, si intende inoltre contribuire al superamento della crisi dell’Istituto che da anni registra l’esodo di alunni verso altri quartieri, fatto che provoca un ulteriore senso di marginalizzazione nella comunità. Premessa del progetto è invece che la scuola debba svolgere un ruolo centrale nel consolidamento del tessuto sociale e comunitario. L’impegno dei ragazzi, con i loro insegnanti, nella conoscenza del passato, anche attraverso il coinvolgimento delle famiglie e degli anziani, è fondamentale per una progettualità rivolta al futuro. Essenziali saranno le risorse culturali e sociali del territorio (il Centro di Documentazione Storica ed Ecomuseo della Circoscrizione 5, con il suo ricco patrimonio di conoscenza storica; il Tavolo di Quartiere, con la sua fitta rete di soggetti; la Casa di Quartiere, come spazio di attività; l’Associazione Manal, con l’esperienza nel modo dell’immigrazione e della scuola) oltre alle professionalità garantite dal Politecnico di Torino M.L. Barelli e P. Gregory) e da Cliomedia Public History. Fra le attività previste: formazione per insegnanti e attività di laboratorio degli studenti (in classe e nel quartiere); formazione post laurea di 2 giovani del territorio per supporto alle varie attività; creazione di un sito internet, di un percorso espositivo e di un ebook; un evento anche conviviale con cibo e musica; un evento finale di Public History