Urban Morphology Ontology

Urban Morphology Ontology (UMO) is a way of reading the contemporary city, highlighting the components (‘concepts’ in the broader definition of a generic ontology) and the relationships among them. The components are defined as urban elements. The purpose of this interpretation is to define a set of entities, and the relations between them, that can be used to describe and to compose urban fabrics. UMO offers a vocabulary of the domain composed by the urban objects and their properties; the knowledge of spatial and composition relationships defines the constraints that regulate the possibilities of combination of the single objects into urban fabrics. UMO implements four reference classes that map the hierarchical main morphological levels of objects: Root class: Geometrical families. This class tries to divide the urban space elements starting from their intrinsic dimensional nature: lines (i.e. elements with a standard cross section, developed along a path, like the streets), surfaces (i.e. every open and non-covered space), volumes (i.e. every building over covered space). This class contains also a primary distinction between the public/private conditions (for the linear elements and the surfaces), and between the closed or open volumes. Subclass 1: Functional families. In this class of the Urban Ontology there is a distinction among the main functional families of the elements, such as building, green etc. Subclass 2: Architectural typologies. This class articulates the typological peculiarities of the entities, such as semi-detached building or office block etc. Subclass 3: Distribution type / internal organisation. In this last class there are some information about the details of the structural schemes (e.g. single, double o multiple span) or about the internal organisation of the entities. This last class matches with the dimensional features, specified for every single element. UMO implements five different types of relationships between class individuals: • hypernym-hyponym relationships (subclasses and superclasses); • holonym-meronym relationships; • pertinence relationships; • spatial relationships; • size relationships

The Smc5/6 complex : the mysterious guardian of genome stability

An intricate network of proteins ensures the faithful transmission of genetic information through cell generations. The Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) protein complex family plays a pivotal role in maintaining genome stability. Initially, the three eukaryotic SMC complexes, cohesin, condensin and Smc5/6 complex (Smc5/6) were identified for their functions in chromosome cohesion, condensation and recombination. Later, it was shown that SMC complexes also control replication and transcription. Another important group of proteins involved in the maintenance of genome stability are the topoisomerases. These enzymes control DNA topology to ensure faithful replication, transcription and chromosome segregation. Defects in processes that control genome maintenance lead to cell death and chromosomal aberrations, including aneuploidy and translocations, which are hallmarks of cancer cells. Therefore, it is essential to reveal the details of how genome stability is maintained in order to fully comprehend the underlying causes of tumor development. The aim of the projects described in this thesis was to increase the knowledge of Smc5/6, which is the least characterized of the three SMC complexes. Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model organism, our work shed light on the involvement of Smc5/6 in chromosome replication, segregation and, possibly, transcription. Moreover, in vitro analysis of purified Smc5/6 revealed new details of how the complex interacts with DNA. In Paper I, it was demonstrated that Smc5/6 accumulates onto chromosomes after sister chromatids are tethered by cohesin. Smc5/6 is also shown to facilitate segregation of short entangled chromosomes. Our data suggest that the chromosomal association of Smc5/6 occurs at sites where sister chromatids are entangled, and that entanglement is proportional to the level of superhelical stress. In Paper II, it was shown that Smc5/6 can both bind directly to, and topologically entrap DNA molecules in vitro. It was also demonstrated that Smc5/6 topologically entraps more than one DNA molecule at the time, stimulating their catenation by topoisomerase 2, which interacts with the complex. In Paper III, it was shown that Smc5/6 is recruited to the intergenic region between two highly transcribed genes. This suggests that Smc5/6 accumulates in regions of high transcription-induced superhelical stress

Mitotic cell rounding and epithelial thinning regulate lumen growth and shape

Many organ functions rely on epithelial cavities with particular shapes. Morphogenetic anomalies in these cavities lead to kidney, brain or inner ear diseases. Despite their relevance, the mechanisms regulating lumen dimensions are poorly understood. Here, we perform live imaging of zebrafish inner ear development and quantitatively analyse the dynamics of lumen growth in 3D. Using genetic, chemical and mechanical interferences, we identify two new morphogenetic mechanisms underlying anisotropic lumen growth. The first mechanism involves thinning of the epithelium as the cells change their shape and lose fluids in concert with expansion of the cavity, suggesting an intra-organ fluid redistribution process. In the second mechanism, revealed by laser microsurgery experiments, mitotic rounding cells apicobasally contract the epithelium and mechanically contribute to expansion of the lumen. Since these mechanisms are axis specific, they not only regulate lumen growth but also the shape of the cavity

Il progetto tra previsione e contingenza. Un tassello eterodosso nel Masterplan del Politecnico di Torino / Architectural design between prediction and contingency. A heterodox tile in the Masterplan of the Politecnico di Torino

Il Politecnico di Torino ha recentemente avviato un programma di ampliamento e razionalizzazione dei propri spazi, che ambisce a guidare la riorganizzazione dell'Ateneo nei prossimi decenni. Mentre il disegno strategico del Masterplan di Ateneo ha iniziato a delinearsi un imprevisto ritardo nella realizzazione dei nuovi blocchi aule ha imposto l’urgente costruzione di un nuovo plesso temporaneo destinato ai corsi di Ingegneria, per il cui progetto il Politecnico ha deciso di proseguire sulla strada della collaborazione tra il proprio Ufficio Tecnico e il Dipartimento di Architettura e Design. Al di là dell'esito architettonico in sé l'esperienza rappresenta un'occasione di riflessione su alcune questioni di carattere più generale. In primo luogo è interessante verificare il rapporto tra un progetto di lunga scadenza e l'inevitabile indeterminatezza delle situazioni contingenti che tramite esso occorre gestire. Un ulteriore elemento di interesse è inoltre rappresentato dal lungamente dibattuto rapporto tra l'attività progettuale interna all'Accademia e il mondo dell'operatività. The Politecnico di Torino has recently launched an extension and improvement plan of its premises, aiming at managing the reorganization of the whole University in the next decades. While the strategic vision of the Atheneum's Masterplan was still being under definition an unexpected delay in the construction of a new educational building compelled to construct a new temporary building, which is supposed to host some of the Engineering courses. The administration of the Politecnico decided then to entrust the internal human resources with this task, involving in the design process its internal Technical Office and the Department of Architecture and Design. Other than the interest for the building itself, this experience introduces some possible and more general considerations. First of all it is important to verify the relationships between a long-term plan and the unavoidable uncertainty of the multiple incidental situations that can happen and that have to be managed. Furthermore an additional element of reflection is how the scientific research about architectural design can match the actual design activity and the real transformation processes

Stessa spiaggia, stesso mare? Come garantire il rispetto delle prescrizioni sanitarie in un Paese che sulla qualità delle spiagge ha costruito una parte importante del proprio richiamo turistico?

A partire dalle prescrizioni sanitarie relative all'epidemia CoViD19, in particolare riguardo al distanziamento sociale, l'articolo propone una riflessione sulle modalità di utilizzo dello spazio da parte delle installazioni temporanee degli stabilimenti balneari e sulla necessità di ripensare i modelli di sfruttamento della risorsa marina

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia - The Main Effect of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) consists of a group of autosomal recessive disorders resulting from enzymatic defects in steroidogenesis. More than 95% of CAH cases result from a deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme, which leads to cortisol deficiency, with or without aldosterone insufficiency, and also an excess of androgen. The clinical spectrum varies from milder symptoms to severe cases settled by the functional impairment of the corresponding pathogenic variant in the CYP21A2 gene. The two major forms of CAH caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency are the classical form and the non-classic, or late onset form. There are two subtypes of the classic form: salt wasting and simple virilized. Diagnosis is clinically confirmed by 17OH-progesterone measurements, although genotyping is now progressively assuming an essential role for characterising patients. Genotyping is sometimes challenging, due to the existence of the highly homologous CYP21A1P pseudogene. The 21-hydroxylase enzyme is encoded by the CYP21A2 gene, where most of the pathogenic variants defects are due to meiotic recombination phenomena events between the CYP21A2 and CYP21A1P. Complete gene analysis is recommended to obtain a correct diagnosis and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disease in patients with CAH, and is relevant for prognosis and for prescribing the appropriate type of genetic counselling

Incubators of Public Spaces; a digital agora to support and empower self-organised participatory processes in urban (re)development

In this short position paper we will introduce how the recently established recognition for formal citizen participation in urban planning is being by-passed by an emerging movement of active citizenship. It is this kind of self-organised participatory process that the Incubators of Public Spaces project aims to support and empower through the creation of a digital platform. We will first give a brief introduction on the general need for more participation in planning policies and the more recent shift towards a DIY mentality. Therefore the specific case of Brussels will be given as an illustration. Subsequently, we will argue how Incubators aims to facilitate and stimulate this novel self-organised practices through the development of ICT tools. As a digital agora, the tool is intended to support the co-creation of an agreed vision for positive change and individual actions. Finally as an initial step for the Incubators project, three concrete cases in cities across Western Europe (London, Brussels, Turin), will function as Living Labs for the development and implementation of the digital platform